Over 500 now against wind farm plan

An additional 200 objections have been made to the proposed Galetech windfarm, in the wake of the firm’s submission of further information, and revised plans, to Westmeath County Council.The closing date for submissions on the proposed nine-turbine windfarm to go in the Gaybrook/Gainstown area, fell on Wednesday of last week, and at that stage, a total of over 500 submissions/objections were lodged with the Council, approximately 200 of those having been submitted since Galetech lodged its further information details.A spokesperson at the Planning Office of Westmeath County Council, said this week that due to the substantial amount received, the total submissions made have not yet been counted, but staff believed it to be in the region of least 510.Galetech Energy Developments Ltd. first made their application to Westmeath County Council to construct a twelve turbine windfarm back in January of this year. However, following a request from the Council for further information, Galetech revised their plans from 12 turbines to nine.Westmeath County Council must now decide to either grant, refuse or seek clarification of the further information by Monday, September 13.