FORMER trainer Dermot Kelly and his wife Rosario Tiernan say their small breeding operation in Co Offaly will be ruined if permission is granted for the erection of 12 giant wind turbines beside their 20-acre farm.

The Kellys are lodging a submission on the proposal to Offaly County Council and they hope others in the bloodstock and racing world will join them before the October 11th deadline.

Dermot trained for 20 years on the Curragh and one of his best-known horses was four-race winner Vitus, on whom Rosario won the Ladies Derby at the Curragh in 1998. In 2008 they founded Heather Crest Stud in Geashill, Co Offaly and their clients include Bernard Carroll (owner of Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde), renowned pinhooker Kitty Cowhey, trainer Darren Bunyan, and Olympic three-day eventer Norman van de Vater. They also breed their own horses for sale.

“We have invested close to €400,000 in the property, putting in 16 stables, a covered six-horse walker, lunge ring, floodlit arena, plus stud fencing,” said Dermot. “But if the proposed wind farm goes ahead we would not be able, in all conscience, to carry on. Having spoken with my clients they are of the same opinion.”

The Kellys are objecting to plans lodged by Moanvane Wind Farm Ltd (Element Power) to erect 12 turbines, each one a massive 169 metres in height. One turbine would be just 350 metres from the stud’s hedge boundary.

“This is the paddock in which we keep the in-foal mares for the summer and autumn months, and it is used for riding horses during the winter months.”

Dermot has researched the issue and believes equestrian businesses have a strong case for objecting to wind farms. He advises breeders to search the internet for ‘wind turbine syndrome Portugal’ and read the results of a study carried out on the effects of wind turbines on foals and yearlings.

In that case the wind farm was ordered to remove the offending turbines.

Kelly has also researched the impact that turbines can have on the health of horses, concerns on sleep disturbance as a result of noise and infrasound, on the flicker of light reflecting off the rotating blades during periods of low sun, and on the shadows from the blades during daylight hours.

“These concerns are shared by many horse owners,” he said. “Horses, in particular high value thoroughbreds, require calm and undisturbed environments in order to thrive.”

He says that if the turbines are allowed his farm will be devalued making it difficult for him and his wife to establish a new base. “If this goes ahead will it set a precedent and we will see more wind farms putting up 169-metre turbines so close to other stud farms throughout the country?”

The Kellys have enlisted the services of a barrister to assist in their campaign.

Web: offaly.ie

Planning file number: 17335

Dermot Kelly: 087 8128788 (outside working hours only)