Dear Madam,- “There’s a place for everything – and everything in its place”.

I believe the new planning structures within the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council ARE working well. A recent determination of a refusal on a Wind Farm outside Tempo has been one example.

A local group, Residents Against Giant Tempo Turbines (RAGTT) challenged the applicant’s submissions. The turbines were of such a scale and magnitude that the Group decided to pursue this - not solely in the interests of the preservation of habitat, heritage and residential amenity but in safeguarding the general health and well being of the entire local community.

Every application is determined in accordance with the relevant Planning Policy Statements however this application was unsuccessful on a number of counts (14 in total). Council decision: tp://meetings.fermanaghomagh.com/meetings/planning-meeting/126-planning-committee-9-july-2015 As a founder member of RAGTT, I am pleased with the outcome and want to encourage greater public awareness about renewable energy and what is best suited to an area. Undoubtedly renewable energy in the form of wind farms has proven to be positive and profitable across the North – however critics are swift to blame opposition to them as being suffering from the Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) Syndrome. I disagree and firmly believe “there’s a place for everything and everything in its place”.

It certainly can be a daunting exercise holding the renewable companies to task however I feel RAGTT played a very important role in seeking clarity and accountability on the application and that through constructive debate and dialogue with the relevant statutory bodies the application was proven to be unsuitable to the locality.

If you share our vision, I would encourage you to bring your expertise to the group in promoting greater awareness in the local community.

Yours faithfully, Patricia Rogers SDLP Councillor, Enniskillen.