A campaign group opposed to windfarm development in rural West Tyrone has written to Energia Group seeking an immediate suspension of enabling works on the Cornavarrow Road near Drumquin. Energia has begun mobilisation and heavy engineering works in the area, where nine new turbines are planned as an extension to an existing windfarm close to the landmark Pigeon Top, several miles outside Omagh. The company has said the works will take place over six weeks.

The group No More Windfarms in Drumquin has raised concerns about the level of consultation and information provided to local people. In correspondence sent to Energia, the group claims that notification of the development bypassed the majority of affected families in the Cornavarrow, Segully, Dooish and wider Drumquin area. It further claims a violation of equality and disability safeguards and says no localised Equality Impact Assessment has been completed.

The group has called on Energia to suspend all planned site works and freeze the project until what it describes as a thorough, independent disability impact assessment and a community-wide consultation are carried out. It has also criticised the developer's position in the context of the ongoing energy crisis, arguing that residents face difficult choices while the firm stands to benefit from constraint payments on the electricity grid.

In September more than 100 people attended a public meeting at Drumquin Community Hall to raise concerns about the potential impact of windfarms on the landscape, local heritage and quality of life. The group maintains that the locality has already accommodated more than its share of wind energy development and says it is determined to have its voice heard before decisions are taken.

Energia Group has been contacted for comment.