Umeras Peatlands

I really welcome the news recently that the Umeras Windfarm Project has not been granted permission to develop a windfarm near Monasterevin. I am very much in favour of the principle of wind energy as a clean, green alternative to fossil fuels. However, issues around ownership structures, community consent and basic communication are of no less importance.

Having been on different site visits to meet the Umeras Development team as well as engaging with lots of local constituents, it’s clear that there have been significant failings made by the international company involved in this regard over the past year.

The Umeras Community Development Group’s vision for the decommissioned Bord na Mona Umeras Bog between Monasterevin and Rathangan to be developed into a new environmental peatlands amenity and nature park would be a great addition to the community and a better use of the land.

I would like to commend the Umeras Community Development Group and all local residents for all their hard work over the past number of months in opposition to the windfarm.