The venue for the fourth independent community stakeholder panel meeting was the Life Adventure Centre in Annalong. At the meeting the panel was updated on key project milestones for First Flight Wind, including the conclusion of some offshore surveys.
They were also presented with proposals for community engagement activity for the onshore grid connection works. This engagement is expected to begin in 2015, and the panel’s input was welcomed.
The independent community stakeholder panel formed in February 2013, with its function to ensure that First Flight Wind remains committed to informing and consulting with the community on the development of the offshore wind project.
The Chair of the group, Dr Conor Patterson, paid tribute to outgoing members of the panel, Audrey Byrne former Chair of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, Michael Curran, formerly Louth County Council, and Councillor Jimmy McCreesh who stepped down as a Newry and Mourne Councillor earlier this year. He then welcomed two new panellists – the new Chair of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Eric Ruddle and Padraig O’Hora from Louth County Council.