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By Sean Moriarty

Over 150 households in the Sliabh Luachra area have committed to pay €5 a week standing-order to fund legal costs against plans for a battery storage compound.

In June this year, the Ballinahulla Battery Awareness Group (BBAG) applied for a judicial review after An Bord Pleanala upheld planning permission granted by Kerry County Council to build a battery storage site in their area. Locals are concerned about fire risks at the compound and are also fighting a plan to build more wind turbines in the region.

On Monday, BBAG joined forces with other communities in Kerry, including Ballybunion and Ballylongford to protest outside Kerry County Council in Tralee. Their combined mantra is “No more wind farms”.

The Ballinahulla group have also launched phase-two of their fundraising drive to challenge Kerry County Council in the High Court regarding the battery storage complex and to fight An Bord Pleanála in relation to additional wind turbines in the area.

“Monday’s protest in Tralee was louder and carried more energy than our previous protests  as we were joined by other communities in Kerry who face similar issues,” group chair Anita O’Sullivan told the Killarney Advertiser.

“We re-grouped after that and had a local meeting on Wednesday night. We have a commitment from over 150 households to lodge €5 a week into our Credit Union account to pay for legal proceedings – the momentum is phenomenal.”

Meanwhile at the first meeting of the new Castleisland-Chorca Dhuibne Muncipal District the members put forward a joint motion calling on Minister Eoghan Murphy to put a halt on all future planning applications in relation to renewable energy projects such as wind turbines, battery stations until new guidelines are published.

“The current guidelines which date back to 2006 for wind turbines are no longer fit for purpose but our local authorities are being asked to continue considering planning applications under guidelines of which could be obsolete in a number of months,” said Cllr. Jackie Healy-Rae.

“At a time when Government are pushing new climate strategy and trying to be green, they are yet again putting the cart before the horse as it is grossly irresponsible and neglectful to be considering planning applications on guidelines that are 13-years-old. Communities have been torn apart and destroyed by some of these applications and it is extremely unfair to allow this continue.”