Planning permission has been granted for what may become the largest wind farm in the State.
An Bord Pleanála has given the go-ahead to a wind farm in Co Galway which will generate enough electricity for 68,000 houses.
Work can now begin on the 105 megawatt Cloosh Valley wind project near Oughterard, on land owned by Coillte.
The scheme will be operated by the State forestry company with Scottish and Southern Energy and the Canadian company, Finavera Wind Energy.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label wind farm planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wind farm planning. Show all posts
Friday, 4 November 2011
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Viewing platform planned for wind farm in Clare
A 360-degree viewing platform, with panoramic coastal views, will form part of a planned €100 million wind farm.
But construction of the wind farm in west Clare will result in population decline, a depreciation of property values and a net reduction in employment and a drop in tourism revenue, an opposition group has claimed.
Clare Coastal Wind Power Ltd has lodged a planning application directly to An Bord Pleanála to develop a 45-turbine wind farm spanning the three parishes of Doonbeg, Kilrush and Cooraclare.
The plans include the construction of a visitor viewing platform at the northern most turbine as part of the development which would be the first of its kind in Ireland and one of only six worldwide.
It would allow people to take in an extensive view of the Atlantic Ocean to the north and views of the wind farm to the south.
Project promoters believe it would become a major tourist attraction.
The developers also have plans to develop an interpretative centre in Doonbeg on the generation of different forms of energy.
If planning permission and grid connection is secured, it is estimated the project would result in about 250 construction jobs over a two-year period, at least 10 permanent jobs and another four to six jobs associated with the proposed viewing platform and interpretative centre.
The company has finalised rental agreements with 80 land owners. Earlier this year, the company stated 70 local landowners at that stage would be paid €15m in total over a 25-year period.
However, the newly-formed Rural Protection Group, has claimed there is no evidence that people view wind turbines as a tourist attraction. They stated that the majority of independent evidence indicated that areas with large scale wind turbine developments suffer a sharp and permanent drop in tourism and plummeting property values.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
But construction of the wind farm in west Clare will result in population decline, a depreciation of property values and a net reduction in employment and a drop in tourism revenue, an opposition group has claimed.
Clare Coastal Wind Power Ltd has lodged a planning application directly to An Bord Pleanála to develop a 45-turbine wind farm spanning the three parishes of Doonbeg, Kilrush and Cooraclare.
The plans include the construction of a visitor viewing platform at the northern most turbine as part of the development which would be the first of its kind in Ireland and one of only six worldwide.
It would allow people to take in an extensive view of the Atlantic Ocean to the north and views of the wind farm to the south.
Project promoters believe it would become a major tourist attraction.
The developers also have plans to develop an interpretative centre in Doonbeg on the generation of different forms of energy.
If planning permission and grid connection is secured, it is estimated the project would result in about 250 construction jobs over a two-year period, at least 10 permanent jobs and another four to six jobs associated with the proposed viewing platform and interpretative centre.
The company has finalised rental agreements with 80 land owners. Earlier this year, the company stated 70 local landowners at that stage would be paid €15m in total over a 25-year period.
However, the newly-formed Rural Protection Group, has claimed there is no evidence that people view wind turbines as a tourist attraction. They stated that the majority of independent evidence indicated that areas with large scale wind turbine developments suffer a sharp and permanent drop in tourism and plummeting property values.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 17 October 2011
West coast wind farm to bypass local planning process
A €100 million, 400ft-high wind farm planned for west Clare is to bypass the planning process.
It follows a Bord Pleanála ruling that the plan by Clare Coastal Wind Power for a 46-turbine wind farm on two sites near the coast is considered strategic infrastructure and, as a result, will be considered by the appeals board.
The sites for the wind farm are located 1km south of Doonbeg and 3km to the north of Kilrush.
The plan is 50% larger than the largest planning application for a wind farm to date in the mid-west, granted at Mount Callan, where planning permission was given for 30 turbines last month by An Bord Pleanála.
Clare Coastal Wind Power had its first pre-application consultation in August last year with An Bord Pleanála.
According to the inspector’s report in the case, the applicants state that the plan would be of strategic economic or social importance to the state or the region in terms of benefits to the local economy in providing electricity; the annual reduction of 207,000 tonnes of CO2 and displacement of use of fossil fuel generation of an annual energy equivalent production from 77,280 tonnes of oil.
The applicants also said that "the development would contribute substantially to the fulfilment of any of the objectives in the National Spatial Strategy or in any regional planning guidelines by assisting in meeting goals in relation to sustainable energy".
The applicants must now prepare and lodge an Environmental Impact Statement and application with An Bord Pleanála, where third parties will also have opportunities to make submissions.
To date, planning has been granted for 100 turbines in west Clare.
Irish Examiner
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
It follows a Bord Pleanála ruling that the plan by Clare Coastal Wind Power for a 46-turbine wind farm on two sites near the coast is considered strategic infrastructure and, as a result, will be considered by the appeals board.
The sites for the wind farm are located 1km south of Doonbeg and 3km to the north of Kilrush.
The plan is 50% larger than the largest planning application for a wind farm to date in the mid-west, granted at Mount Callan, where planning permission was given for 30 turbines last month by An Bord Pleanála.
Clare Coastal Wind Power had its first pre-application consultation in August last year with An Bord Pleanála.
According to the inspector’s report in the case, the applicants state that the plan would be of strategic economic or social importance to the state or the region in terms of benefits to the local economy in providing electricity; the annual reduction of 207,000 tonnes of CO2 and displacement of use of fossil fuel generation of an annual energy equivalent production from 77,280 tonnes of oil.
The applicants also said that "the development would contribute substantially to the fulfilment of any of the objectives in the National Spatial Strategy or in any regional planning guidelines by assisting in meeting goals in relation to sustainable energy".
The applicants must now prepare and lodge an Environmental Impact Statement and application with An Bord Pleanála, where third parties will also have opportunities to make submissions.
To date, planning has been granted for 100 turbines in west Clare.
Irish Examiner
www.bpsplanningconsultants.ie
Monday, 29 August 2011
Major Clare wind farm gets approval
A €150 MILLION Co Clare wind farm, bigger than the one which was refused planning permission in Connemara last week, has been approved by An Bord Pleanála.
The wind farm at Mount Callan near Miltown Malbay in west Clare will have a maximum capacity of 87 megawatts – enough to supply the whole county with electricity.
The Mount Callan wind farm, though a standalone facility, is seen as a vital part of plans to build a proposed pump storage facility at the site. The intention is to use surplus wind energy to pump water from the bottom of the mountain to the top. The water is released when the wind is not blowing, generating energy.
The Mount Callan facility is being seen as a precursor of the bigger Spirit of Ireland project, which will use sea water to generate huge amounts of electricity.
Locals objected on the basis that the wind farm would be visually intrusive and affect the hen harrier population in the area.
In its judgment, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission subject to 19 conditions.
It stated that the proposed wind farm would “not seriously injure the amenities of the area” nor have an impact on natural species.
It said it was in keeping with the proper planning and sustainable development in the area.
The granting of planning permission is a relief for the applicants, mostly local farmers who have created a co-op.
Last week An Bord Pleanála turned down an 83-megawatt wind farm in Connemara on the basis that it would be too intrusive on the local environment.
West Clare Renewables managing director Pádraig Howard said the Connemara result last week had “shaken our confidence”.
However, he said Clare County Council’s decision to do the strategic environmental assessment on the area and identify sites for wind before planning permission was sought proved to be critical in their success.
Earlier this year the council announced a €2 billion strategy in renewable energy, including a €900 million pumped-storage hydroelectricity plant, which is to be included in the Clare county development plan.
The British government has also declared its intention to buy surplus wind-generated electricity from Ireland to meet its own renewable targets.
Mr Howard said he and other locals had financed the project themselves to date and were now hoping to get major investors involved.
They claim to have letters from international finance houses saying the investment is ready now that planning permission has been granted.
“We hope to finance this with a mixture of debt and equity. We hope there will be an opportunity for local landowners and the wider community to invest, so there will be real local ownership,” he said.
Engineer Pat Gill, who is involved with the project, said it was critical now to get grid connection and that the previous government policy was “at sixes and sevens” in that regard.
Wind speeds on Mount Callan, which is 329m high (1,300ft), are among the highest in the country because of its elevation, its isolation and proximity to the Atlantic.
Planning permission has been granted for 29 turbines, which will all be located on the slopes rather than the flat top of the mountain because of the visual impact.
It is estimated that the capacity factor – the percentage of the total capacity that can be generated – is 40 per cent.
The European average is 22 per cent and the Irish average is 29 per cent.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The wind farm at Mount Callan near Miltown Malbay in west Clare will have a maximum capacity of 87 megawatts – enough to supply the whole county with electricity.
The Mount Callan wind farm, though a standalone facility, is seen as a vital part of plans to build a proposed pump storage facility at the site. The intention is to use surplus wind energy to pump water from the bottom of the mountain to the top. The water is released when the wind is not blowing, generating energy.
The Mount Callan facility is being seen as a precursor of the bigger Spirit of Ireland project, which will use sea water to generate huge amounts of electricity.
Locals objected on the basis that the wind farm would be visually intrusive and affect the hen harrier population in the area.
In its judgment, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission subject to 19 conditions.
It stated that the proposed wind farm would “not seriously injure the amenities of the area” nor have an impact on natural species.
It said it was in keeping with the proper planning and sustainable development in the area.
The granting of planning permission is a relief for the applicants, mostly local farmers who have created a co-op.
Last week An Bord Pleanála turned down an 83-megawatt wind farm in Connemara on the basis that it would be too intrusive on the local environment.
West Clare Renewables managing director Pádraig Howard said the Connemara result last week had “shaken our confidence”.
However, he said Clare County Council’s decision to do the strategic environmental assessment on the area and identify sites for wind before planning permission was sought proved to be critical in their success.
Earlier this year the council announced a €2 billion strategy in renewable energy, including a €900 million pumped-storage hydroelectricity plant, which is to be included in the Clare county development plan.
The British government has also declared its intention to buy surplus wind-generated electricity from Ireland to meet its own renewable targets.
Mr Howard said he and other locals had financed the project themselves to date and were now hoping to get major investors involved.
They claim to have letters from international finance houses saying the investment is ready now that planning permission has been granted.
“We hope to finance this with a mixture of debt and equity. We hope there will be an opportunity for local landowners and the wider community to invest, so there will be real local ownership,” he said.
Engineer Pat Gill, who is involved with the project, said it was critical now to get grid connection and that the previous government policy was “at sixes and sevens” in that regard.
Wind speeds on Mount Callan, which is 329m high (1,300ft), are among the highest in the country because of its elevation, its isolation and proximity to the Atlantic.
Planning permission has been granted for 29 turbines, which will all be located on the slopes rather than the flat top of the mountain because of the visual impact.
It is estimated that the capacity factor – the percentage of the total capacity that can be generated – is 40 per cent.
The European average is 22 per cent and the Irish average is 29 per cent.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Approved wind farm lacks grid connection
THE PROMOTER behind a new €200 million wind farm in west Clare has said the project will not proceed unless there is an overhaul of the grid connection system for wind farms.
Director of West Clare Renewable Energy Ltd, Pádraig Howard said: “It is as bleak as that. If there is no reform, the project won’t proceed.”
Mr Howard was speaking yesterday as An Bord Pleanála released documents confirming that the inspector in the case recommended that planning be refused for the development or that additional information be sought from the applicant.
The recommendation to refuse was not accepted by the board and on Monday, the appeals board gave the green light for the turbine development at Mount Callan.
Mr Howard described the decision as “bittersweet as we don’t have a grid connection”.
If the wind farm does get built, 30 farm families who own the 3,000 acres of upland at Mount Callan are to share a €23 million windfall over 20 years.
Mr Howard said that 150 to 200 construction jobs will be created during the construction phase.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Director of West Clare Renewable Energy Ltd, Pádraig Howard said: “It is as bleak as that. If there is no reform, the project won’t proceed.”
Mr Howard was speaking yesterday as An Bord Pleanála released documents confirming that the inspector in the case recommended that planning be refused for the development or that additional information be sought from the applicant.
The recommendation to refuse was not accepted by the board and on Monday, the appeals board gave the green light for the turbine development at Mount Callan.
Mr Howard described the decision as “bittersweet as we don’t have a grid connection”.
If the wind farm does get built, 30 farm families who own the 3,000 acres of upland at Mount Callan are to share a €23 million windfall over 20 years.
Mr Howard said that 150 to 200 construction jobs will be created during the construction phase.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 22 August 2011
Wind farm rejected as site is 'too beautiful'
PLANS for a 27-turbine wind farm in Connemara capable of powering 40,000 homes a year have been rejected because the proposed site is "too beautiful".
An Bord Pleanala yesterday refused permission for the renewable energy project near Rossaveal, Co Galway, saying it would have too negative an impact on the landscape, which was "one of the principal assets" of the local tourism industry.
Gaoi an Iarthar Teo had sought a 10-year permission to build a wind farm in the townlands of Lettermuckoo, Muckanaghkillew and Derrynea, about 4km north of Rossaveal and close to Casla.
The 27 turbines had a maximum height of 98 metres, and the plans included a substation, two control buildings and the upgrading of access roads.
The project had been granted permission by Galway County Council, and the board's inspector said that permission should be granted, noting that the landscape had been "seriously eroded" by extensive turf cutting in the area.
But An Bord Pleanala decided to refuse permission, saying that despite the site being designated as suitable for wind farms, it would "erode the visual and environmental amenity" of the area.
The wind farm could have powered 40,000 homes a year, or 75pc of all households in Galway. The 1,000-hectare site is used for farming and turf-cutting.
The plan was developed by Gaoi an Iarthar Teo, a partnership between a wind farm development company and a group of local landowners.
A spokesman for the company said it was "disappointed" with the decision, adding it was considering its options.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
An Bord Pleanala yesterday refused permission for the renewable energy project near Rossaveal, Co Galway, saying it would have too negative an impact on the landscape, which was "one of the principal assets" of the local tourism industry.
Gaoi an Iarthar Teo had sought a 10-year permission to build a wind farm in the townlands of Lettermuckoo, Muckanaghkillew and Derrynea, about 4km north of Rossaveal and close to Casla.
The 27 turbines had a maximum height of 98 metres, and the plans included a substation, two control buildings and the upgrading of access roads.
The project had been granted permission by Galway County Council, and the board's inspector said that permission should be granted, noting that the landscape had been "seriously eroded" by extensive turf cutting in the area.
But An Bord Pleanala decided to refuse permission, saying that despite the site being designated as suitable for wind farms, it would "erode the visual and environmental amenity" of the area.
The wind farm could have powered 40,000 homes a year, or 75pc of all households in Galway. The 1,000-hectare site is used for farming and turf-cutting.
The plan was developed by Gaoi an Iarthar Teo, a partnership between a wind farm development company and a group of local landowners.
A spokesman for the company said it was "disappointed" with the decision, adding it was considering its options.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Permission refused for Connemara wind farm
AN BORD Pleanála has refused planning permission for a major wind farm in Connemara, consisting of 27 turbines, on the basis that it would “erode the visual and environmental amenity of this area” of Co Galway.
Overturning Galway County Council’s decision to approve the scheme after it was appealed by An Taisce, Inland Fisheries Ireland and six individual objectors, the board said the Connemara landscape “is one of the principal assets of the tourism industry” in the county.
Gaoi an Iarthar Teo wanted to erect 27 turbines in a scenic area of bog and lakeland landscape, 4km north of Ros a’Mhil. Each turbine would have had a hub height of 98m – 1½ times taller than Dublin’s Liberty Hall – and 82m rotor blades.
Senior planning inspector Kevin Moore, who dealt with the appeal, recommended that permission should be granted.
While he accepted that the project would have a “significant landscape and visual impact”, he did not believe that this would be “wholly negative”.
An Bord Pleanála decided unanimously not to accept the inspector’s recommendation, saying that the proposed wind farm would be an “excessively dominant feature and visually obtrusive form of development” in south Connemara’s “highly scenic open landscape”.
It also noted that the area was part of the Connemara Bog Complex Special Area of Conservation (SAC), with a “high” landscape sensitivity designation in the current Galway County Development Plan – even though it was also identified as having wind farm potential.
“The development will also have ecological impacts, and while not affecting the integrity of the adjoining SAC, it will impact negatively on the ecological value of the site itself and on its value within the wider area . . . by reason of its nature and scale,” the planning board said.
“The proposed development would seriously injure the amenities of the area, would interfere with the character of the landscape which it is necessary to preserve and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
Welcoming the decision, An Taisce noted that it follows a number of other significant refusals by An Bord Pleanála of wind farms on the basis of ecological impact, particularly in special protection areas for hen harriers and other species protected by the EU birds directive.
The latest decision “highlights the need for an effective national strategy for future wind energy development to reconcile the imperative of meeting renewable energy targets while at the same time protecting biodiversity and our most iconic landscapes”.
An Taisce said the Gaoi an Iarthar Teo application site “should now form part of an extended Connemara mountain and peatland national park area”, and it called on the county council to exclude the site and others like it from the draft wind energy strategy for Co Galway.
The Irish Wind Energy Association, while not wishing to comment on the board’s decision, said there was a need for a forum where industry experts, the Department of the Environment, local authorities and An Bord Pleanála could “engage on planning issues”.
Meanwhile, the wind energy association – with the support of Gaelectric – has launched a new training course for teachers to raise young people’s awareness of Ireland’s “massive reserves of renewable power”.
The “Kid Wind” course can be found at iwea.com
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Overturning Galway County Council’s decision to approve the scheme after it was appealed by An Taisce, Inland Fisheries Ireland and six individual objectors, the board said the Connemara landscape “is one of the principal assets of the tourism industry” in the county.
Gaoi an Iarthar Teo wanted to erect 27 turbines in a scenic area of bog and lakeland landscape, 4km north of Ros a’Mhil. Each turbine would have had a hub height of 98m – 1½ times taller than Dublin’s Liberty Hall – and 82m rotor blades.
Senior planning inspector Kevin Moore, who dealt with the appeal, recommended that permission should be granted.
While he accepted that the project would have a “significant landscape and visual impact”, he did not believe that this would be “wholly negative”.
An Bord Pleanála decided unanimously not to accept the inspector’s recommendation, saying that the proposed wind farm would be an “excessively dominant feature and visually obtrusive form of development” in south Connemara’s “highly scenic open landscape”.
It also noted that the area was part of the Connemara Bog Complex Special Area of Conservation (SAC), with a “high” landscape sensitivity designation in the current Galway County Development Plan – even though it was also identified as having wind farm potential.
“The development will also have ecological impacts, and while not affecting the integrity of the adjoining SAC, it will impact negatively on the ecological value of the site itself and on its value within the wider area . . . by reason of its nature and scale,” the planning board said.
“The proposed development would seriously injure the amenities of the area, would interfere with the character of the landscape which it is necessary to preserve and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
Welcoming the decision, An Taisce noted that it follows a number of other significant refusals by An Bord Pleanála of wind farms on the basis of ecological impact, particularly in special protection areas for hen harriers and other species protected by the EU birds directive.
The latest decision “highlights the need for an effective national strategy for future wind energy development to reconcile the imperative of meeting renewable energy targets while at the same time protecting biodiversity and our most iconic landscapes”.
An Taisce said the Gaoi an Iarthar Teo application site “should now form part of an extended Connemara mountain and peatland national park area”, and it called on the county council to exclude the site and others like it from the draft wind energy strategy for Co Galway.
The Irish Wind Energy Association, while not wishing to comment on the board’s decision, said there was a need for a forum where industry experts, the Department of the Environment, local authorities and An Bord Pleanála could “engage on planning issues”.
Meanwhile, the wind energy association – with the support of Gaelectric – has launched a new training course for teachers to raise young people’s awareness of Ireland’s “massive reserves of renewable power”.
The “Kid Wind” course can be found at iwea.com
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Planning appeal lodged by firm proposing €10m wind farm
THE DEVELOPERS of a proposed €10 million wind farm in west Clare have appealed Clare County Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the development.
This follows An Bord Pleanála confirming yesterday that an appeal has been lodged by McMahon Finn Wind Acquisitions Ltd for a six-turbine wind farm located nine kilometres from the west Clare coastal village of Quilty.
Last month, the local authority refused planning permission to the plans for a 400ft-high wind farm over, in part, the impact it will have on the protected and rare bird, the hen harrier.
Birdwatch Ireland and a large number of locals had expressed their opposition to the plans.
The company last year lodged plans for a 12-turbine 13MW wind farm, but halved the number of turbines in response to local concerns in its new application. However, in its comprehensive decision, the council refused planning permission to the proposal on seven grounds.
Refusing planning over the impact the proposal will have on the hen harrier, the council stated that the general area is known to be an important foraging habitat for the hen harrier, which is afforded protection under annex one of the EU habitats directive.
The council stated that “it is not satisfied that the proposed development, by itself or in conjunction with existing and permitted wind-farm developments in the vicinity, will not have a significant adverse ecological impact on the habitat and foraging grounds of the hen harrier”.
Birdwatch Ireland stated that the proposed wind farm is located within the top five sites for the hen harrier in Ireland where a recent survey detected 10 pairs. Residents in the area had also opposed the plan and, in response to their concerns, the council refused planning permission as “the proposed development may seriously injure the amenities of residential property in the vicinity by reason of impact of noise and visual overbearing and thus depreciate the value of property in the vicinity”.
The council stated: “The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the Clare County Development Plan that requires any development to strike an appropriate balance between facilitating wind energy development and protecting the residential amenity of neighbouring property in respect of noise proliferation and visual impact”.
Further, the council ruled that the proposed development would pose an unacceptable risk to water-quality standards in the receiving watercourse and would militate against the objectives of the water framework directive.
Those who objected now have an opportunity to lodge a submission on the appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
A decision is not expected until later this year or early next year.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
This follows An Bord Pleanála confirming yesterday that an appeal has been lodged by McMahon Finn Wind Acquisitions Ltd for a six-turbine wind farm located nine kilometres from the west Clare coastal village of Quilty.
Last month, the local authority refused planning permission to the plans for a 400ft-high wind farm over, in part, the impact it will have on the protected and rare bird, the hen harrier.
Birdwatch Ireland and a large number of locals had expressed their opposition to the plans.
The company last year lodged plans for a 12-turbine 13MW wind farm, but halved the number of turbines in response to local concerns in its new application. However, in its comprehensive decision, the council refused planning permission to the proposal on seven grounds.
Refusing planning over the impact the proposal will have on the hen harrier, the council stated that the general area is known to be an important foraging habitat for the hen harrier, which is afforded protection under annex one of the EU habitats directive.
The council stated that “it is not satisfied that the proposed development, by itself or in conjunction with existing and permitted wind-farm developments in the vicinity, will not have a significant adverse ecological impact on the habitat and foraging grounds of the hen harrier”.
Birdwatch Ireland stated that the proposed wind farm is located within the top five sites for the hen harrier in Ireland where a recent survey detected 10 pairs. Residents in the area had also opposed the plan and, in response to their concerns, the council refused planning permission as “the proposed development may seriously injure the amenities of residential property in the vicinity by reason of impact of noise and visual overbearing and thus depreciate the value of property in the vicinity”.
The council stated: “The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the Clare County Development Plan that requires any development to strike an appropriate balance between facilitating wind energy development and protecting the residential amenity of neighbouring property in respect of noise proliferation and visual impact”.
Further, the council ruled that the proposed development would pose an unacceptable risk to water-quality standards in the receiving watercourse and would militate against the objectives of the water framework directive.
Those who objected now have an opportunity to lodge a submission on the appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
A decision is not expected until later this year or early next year.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Turbine plans fail to prompt objections
A €30 million plan to build six 150m wind turbines to line the entrance to Cork harbour has failed to attract any submissions.
A decision on four planning applications for the turbines to provide energy for four healthcare manufacturing companies in Cork is due this month. Today is the closing date for submissions on plans for five of the turbines, to be built at four locations in Ringaskiddy. Centocor, DePuy, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis are planning to build the turbines on each of their four sites dotted around Ringaskiddy.
The height of the turbines will reach 150.5m, with a blade radius of 50.5m, making the structures more than twice the height of Ireland’s tallest building, the Elysian tower in Cork.
Submissions on GlaxoSmith-Kline’s plans for a sixth identical turbine at Curraghbinny, Carrigaline, can be made until June 9th.
Planning applications are under review by county planners. Though decision dates have been set for June 23rd (June 30th for Glaxo’s turbine), planners are likely to seek further information on applications, given the scale of the project.
The project aims to reduce the carbon footprint of each of the four sites by up to 30 per cent, or up to 22,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The firms have formed an umbrella group, the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group, for the purpose of applying for planning permission for the turbines.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
A decision on four planning applications for the turbines to provide energy for four healthcare manufacturing companies in Cork is due this month. Today is the closing date for submissions on plans for five of the turbines, to be built at four locations in Ringaskiddy. Centocor, DePuy, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis are planning to build the turbines on each of their four sites dotted around Ringaskiddy.
The height of the turbines will reach 150.5m, with a blade radius of 50.5m, making the structures more than twice the height of Ireland’s tallest building, the Elysian tower in Cork.
Submissions on GlaxoSmith-Kline’s plans for a sixth identical turbine at Curraghbinny, Carrigaline, can be made until June 9th.
Planning applications are under review by county planners. Though decision dates have been set for June 23rd (June 30th for Glaxo’s turbine), planners are likely to seek further information on applications, given the scale of the project.
The project aims to reduce the carbon footprint of each of the four sites by up to 30 per cent, or up to 22,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The firms have formed an umbrella group, the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group, for the purpose of applying for planning permission for the turbines.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Proposed wind farm in Clare halved in size
THE DEVELOPERS of a proposed 400ft wind farm in west Clare have halved its size after concerns were expressed by local residents.
Last year McMahon Finn Properties lodged plans for a 12-turbine 13MW wind farm 9km from the coastal village of Quilty.
The plan faced objections from a number of locals, and now the company has relodged plans halving the number of turbines to six.
The application coincides with a separate application for a sixturbine 430ft wind farm by Seahound Wind Energy Developments at Kilmaley.
Both projects are seeking to take advantage of the aim in the new Clare County Development Plan to have a minimum target of 550MW from wind energy by 2017.
A wind farm with a capacity of 19.5MW is already built in the general area, with planning permission for six other applications at Booltiagh, Boolynagleragh, Glenmore, Cahermurphy, High Street and Kiltumper with an aggregate capacity of 85MW.
A decision is awaited from An Bord Pleanála concerning an 84MW 28-turbine farm on the slopes of Mount Callan.
Documentation lodged with the McMahon Finn proposal states: “In the event that all permitted development plus the Mount Callan project were constructed this would amount to 202MW or 81 per cent of the strategy target.”
Consultants for McMahon Finn Properties say the proposal on a landholding of 224 acres represents 5.5 per cent of the overall target. In documentation lodged with the plan they state the original planning application “was withdrawn following consultation as its proposed layout and extent were considered unsuitable”.
It states: “The revised development for Coor Shanavogh is significantly scaled down in both layout and size and comprises six turbines.”
The documents lodged with the application state that “the site is not immediately adjacent to or within, either wholly or partially, any areas designated for nature conservation”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Last year McMahon Finn Properties lodged plans for a 12-turbine 13MW wind farm 9km from the coastal village of Quilty.
The plan faced objections from a number of locals, and now the company has relodged plans halving the number of turbines to six.
The application coincides with a separate application for a sixturbine 430ft wind farm by Seahound Wind Energy Developments at Kilmaley.
Both projects are seeking to take advantage of the aim in the new Clare County Development Plan to have a minimum target of 550MW from wind energy by 2017.
A wind farm with a capacity of 19.5MW is already built in the general area, with planning permission for six other applications at Booltiagh, Boolynagleragh, Glenmore, Cahermurphy, High Street and Kiltumper with an aggregate capacity of 85MW.
A decision is awaited from An Bord Pleanála concerning an 84MW 28-turbine farm on the slopes of Mount Callan.
Documentation lodged with the McMahon Finn proposal states: “In the event that all permitted development plus the Mount Callan project were constructed this would amount to 202MW or 81 per cent of the strategy target.”
Consultants for McMahon Finn Properties say the proposal on a landholding of 224 acres represents 5.5 per cent of the overall target. In documentation lodged with the plan they state the original planning application “was withdrawn following consultation as its proposed layout and extent were considered unsuitable”.
It states: “The revised development for Coor Shanavogh is significantly scaled down in both layout and size and comprises six turbines.”
The documents lodged with the application state that “the site is not immediately adjacent to or within, either wholly or partially, any areas designated for nature conservation”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 16 May 2011
Planning permission refused for Westmeath wind farm
An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for a wind farm at Gaybrook Demesne near Mullingar, Co Westmeath, writes EOGHAN MacCONNELL .
A number of local residents had raised concerns about the proposed development which consisted of nine 125-metre and 135-metre turbines. The application was lodged by Galetech Energy Developments Ltd.
Tom Wallace, of the Midlands Industrial Wind Turbine Action Group, expressed relief at the decision.
“These turbines would have been one and a half times the height of the Statue of Liberty and taller than the Spire in Dublin,” Mr Wallace claimed.
Suggesting alternative locations, he said: “There’s about 20,000 acres of bogs about two miles away as the crow flies.”
Galetech director Darren Sherry described the planning refusal as unfortunate. Mr Sherry doesn’t believe there is a growing resistance to wind farms. “There hasn’t been a dramatic change in terms of planning,” he said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
A number of local residents had raised concerns about the proposed development which consisted of nine 125-metre and 135-metre turbines. The application was lodged by Galetech Energy Developments Ltd.
Tom Wallace, of the Midlands Industrial Wind Turbine Action Group, expressed relief at the decision.
“These turbines would have been one and a half times the height of the Statue of Liberty and taller than the Spire in Dublin,” Mr Wallace claimed.
Suggesting alternative locations, he said: “There’s about 20,000 acres of bogs about two miles away as the crow flies.”
Galetech director Darren Sherry described the planning refusal as unfortunate. Mr Sherry doesn’t believe there is a growing resistance to wind farms. “There hasn’t been a dramatic change in terms of planning,” he said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Group claims 72% are against wind farm plan
MORE THAN 400 submissions on an €80 million wind farm proposed for south Roscommon have been received by Roscommon County Council.
Green energy company Galetech has applied for planning permission to build an electricity generating wind farm, Seven Hills, close to Dysart, in the townlands of Turrock, Cronin, Mullaghhardagh, Gortaphuill, Tullyneeny and Glenrevagh. Galetech already has interests in wind farms in Cavan and Monaghan and is based in Cootehill, Co Cavan.
However, the Wind Turbine Action Group, South Roscommon, has vowed to oppose the application at council and An Bord Pleanála level, “and beyond if necessary”.
They claim 72 per cent of the 408 submissions to the council on the planning application are opposed to the wind farm, with 28 per cent in favour.
Spokesman for the group, Albert van Beek, said the high level of opposition did not mean all opponents were opposed to wind energy, but “the fact that so many people are against this wind farm is a sign that cannot be ignored”.
According to an analysis of the submissions by the group, 77 per cent of objections related to potential damage to the landscape; 9 per cent said the development would negatively influence the tourism industry in the area; 53 per cent were concerned about noise and 42 per cent about health issues.
The future value of property was a concern for 39 per cent.
Mr van Beek said Dysart was not mentioned in the county development plan as suitable for a wind farm.
He said a council draft wind energy strategy identified the area as suitable for wind farms. However, he said the designation of land value in the area as “moderate” in that strategy “is another way of saying this landscape is of lowest value”.
Opponents have cited an Irish Academy of Engineers report, Energy Policy and Economic Recovery, 2010-2015, which they say argues against investment in new wind farms.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Green energy company Galetech has applied for planning permission to build an electricity generating wind farm, Seven Hills, close to Dysart, in the townlands of Turrock, Cronin, Mullaghhardagh, Gortaphuill, Tullyneeny and Glenrevagh. Galetech already has interests in wind farms in Cavan and Monaghan and is based in Cootehill, Co Cavan.
However, the Wind Turbine Action Group, South Roscommon, has vowed to oppose the application at council and An Bord Pleanála level, “and beyond if necessary”.
They claim 72 per cent of the 408 submissions to the council on the planning application are opposed to the wind farm, with 28 per cent in favour.
Spokesman for the group, Albert van Beek, said the high level of opposition did not mean all opponents were opposed to wind energy, but “the fact that so many people are against this wind farm is a sign that cannot be ignored”.
According to an analysis of the submissions by the group, 77 per cent of objections related to potential damage to the landscape; 9 per cent said the development would negatively influence the tourism industry in the area; 53 per cent were concerned about noise and 42 per cent about health issues.
The future value of property was a concern for 39 per cent.
Mr van Beek said Dysart was not mentioned in the county development plan as suitable for a wind farm.
He said a council draft wind energy strategy identified the area as suitable for wind farms. However, he said the designation of land value in the area as “moderate” in that strategy “is another way of saying this landscape is of lowest value”.
Opponents have cited an Irish Academy of Engineers report, Energy Policy and Economic Recovery, 2010-2015, which they say argues against investment in new wind farms.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 24 January 2011
Bord Pleanála rejects appeal over wind farm
An Bord Pleanála has overruled the recommendation of its own inspector to give the go-ahead to a new €50 million wind farm near Lissycasey in west Clare.
In its ruling, the appeals board dismissed an appeal by An Taisce against a Clare County Council decision to give the go-ahead to plans by Hibernian Windpower Ltd to construct an 11-unit 375ft high wind farm at Boolynagleragh, Lissycasey.
The proposal is one of four wind farms involving 40 wind turbines in the general area that have secured planning permission, are seeking planning or are operational.
In its ruling, the appeals board ordered the omission of two turbines. The wind farm is to be located on a 180-hectare site containing some bog and Hibernian states that it will produce 27.5MW of electricity.
In his inspector’s report, Bord Pleanála planner, Conor McGrath recommended that planning permission be refused as there was a failure to investigate and adequately describe the impact of the proposed development on ground stability in the vicinity of the turbines.
Mr McGrath also stated that there were inconsistencies in evidence submitted in relation to the cumulative impact of wind farms on the protected hen harrier bird.
He recommended that the bord would not be satisfied that the proposed development would not have significant adverse impacts on the environment and the proposed development would be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area.
However, the Bord, in its formal order, stated that the proposed development would not adversely affect the natural heritage of the area, would not have a significant impact on any protected bird species in the area, would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity, would not give rise to water pollution and would be acceptable in terms of risk of land slippage.
The Bord stated that, in deciding not to accept the inspector’s recommendation, it had regard to the site investigation report including the peat risk assessment it received, noting that peat depths on the site are generally low.
The bord concluded that the project "would not have any significant impacts on the local hen harrier population - noting that, cumulatively, wind farm developments in the area occupy a small part of the overall foraging area for hen harriers".
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
In its ruling, the appeals board dismissed an appeal by An Taisce against a Clare County Council decision to give the go-ahead to plans by Hibernian Windpower Ltd to construct an 11-unit 375ft high wind farm at Boolynagleragh, Lissycasey.
The proposal is one of four wind farms involving 40 wind turbines in the general area that have secured planning permission, are seeking planning or are operational.
In its ruling, the appeals board ordered the omission of two turbines. The wind farm is to be located on a 180-hectare site containing some bog and Hibernian states that it will produce 27.5MW of electricity.
In his inspector’s report, Bord Pleanála planner, Conor McGrath recommended that planning permission be refused as there was a failure to investigate and adequately describe the impact of the proposed development on ground stability in the vicinity of the turbines.
Mr McGrath also stated that there were inconsistencies in evidence submitted in relation to the cumulative impact of wind farms on the protected hen harrier bird.
He recommended that the bord would not be satisfied that the proposed development would not have significant adverse impacts on the environment and the proposed development would be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area.
However, the Bord, in its formal order, stated that the proposed development would not adversely affect the natural heritage of the area, would not have a significant impact on any protected bird species in the area, would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity, would not give rise to water pollution and would be acceptable in terms of risk of land slippage.
The Bord stated that, in deciding not to accept the inspector’s recommendation, it had regard to the site investigation report including the peat risk assessment it received, noting that peat depths on the site are generally low.
The bord concluded that the project "would not have any significant impacts on the local hen harrier population - noting that, cumulatively, wind farm developments in the area occupy a small part of the overall foraging area for hen harriers".
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 8 November 2010
Hen harrier puts paid to turbine plans
THE PROTECTED hen harrier has put paid to plans for a two-turbine extension to the existing 13-turbine wind farm at Booltiagh townland near Connolly in mid-Clare.
This follows An Bord Pleanála refusing planning permission to Booltiagh Wind Ltd to construct the turbines at Booltiagh.
The council refused planning for the proposal earlier this year.
In its appeal to the board, consultants for Booltiagh said the council had recently designated within the draft 2011-17 county development plan Slieve Callan, 6km to the north, as a preferred area for turbine development despite the fact it is a known hen harrier stronghold.
The consultants said: “Wind farms have been proposed and consented within special protection areas for hen harriers and on habitat designated as Annex 1 for hen harrier habitat, provided appropriate compensatory habitat and a long-term management plan has been adopted as part of the consent.
“It is accepted that the west Clare upland area as a whole is one of importance for hen harriers. This point has been made both by the Department of the Environment and by our own independent avian consultant.
“This is not at issue, what is at issue is whether the proposal for two additional turbines to the existing wind farm will have a significant adverse effect.”
The developers said: “If the presence of two additional turbines in the area is sufficient to warrant a refusal then it would be reasonable to assume that no further wind turbine development would be possible in the immediate area.”
The appeals board said the site was identified as an important foraging habitat for the hen harrier.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
This follows An Bord Pleanála refusing planning permission to Booltiagh Wind Ltd to construct the turbines at Booltiagh.
The council refused planning for the proposal earlier this year.
In its appeal to the board, consultants for Booltiagh said the council had recently designated within the draft 2011-17 county development plan Slieve Callan, 6km to the north, as a preferred area for turbine development despite the fact it is a known hen harrier stronghold.
The consultants said: “Wind farms have been proposed and consented within special protection areas for hen harriers and on habitat designated as Annex 1 for hen harrier habitat, provided appropriate compensatory habitat and a long-term management plan has been adopted as part of the consent.
“It is accepted that the west Clare upland area as a whole is one of importance for hen harriers. This point has been made both by the Department of the Environment and by our own independent avian consultant.
“This is not at issue, what is at issue is whether the proposal for two additional turbines to the existing wind farm will have a significant adverse effect.”
The developers said: “If the presence of two additional turbines in the area is sufficient to warrant a refusal then it would be reasonable to assume that no further wind turbine development would be possible in the immediate area.”
The appeals board said the site was identified as an important foraging habitat for the hen harrier.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 26 September 2010
West Clare wind farm plan faces first appeal
THE FIRST of what is expected to be a number of appeals has been lodged against plans to construct a €200 million wind farm on Mount Callan in west Clare.
Last month, Clare County Council granted planning permission to West Clare Renewable Energy Ltd for the 28-turbine wind farm. The proposed 410ft-high wind farm on 3,000 acres of upland around Mount Callan will provide sufficient energy to power 59,000 homes.
However, an appeal has now been lodged against the development by Connellan Associates, on behalf of Noel Connellan. A decision by An Bord Pleanála is not expected until next year.
In the appeal, Connellan Associates acknowledge that while Slieve Callan is zoned as a strategic area for wind farming, the area is also designated as “visually vulnerable”. The appeal states: “The more robust the landscape, the greater the flexibility to locate a development of this nature.
“The area around Slieve Callan is not robust in this sense. It is a gentle landscape.”
The appeal also claims that villages such as Connolly would be adversely affected.
If granted planning permission, the development is expected to provide 30 farmers with an aggregate €775,000 each year from the 20-year operation of the wind farm.
The dividend equates to €516,666 for each of the farmers over the course of the project.
The local communities of Connolly, Inagh, Kilmurry Ibrickane, Miltown Malbay and Kilmaley are also to benefit by receiving €46,500 per annum when the wind farm is fully operational.
The promoters state that in total the project will provide €26 million to the landowners, local community and Clare County Council over its duration. The council will receive €10 million in rates during the course of the wind-farm plan.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Last month, Clare County Council granted planning permission to West Clare Renewable Energy Ltd for the 28-turbine wind farm. The proposed 410ft-high wind farm on 3,000 acres of upland around Mount Callan will provide sufficient energy to power 59,000 homes.
However, an appeal has now been lodged against the development by Connellan Associates, on behalf of Noel Connellan. A decision by An Bord Pleanála is not expected until next year.
In the appeal, Connellan Associates acknowledge that while Slieve Callan is zoned as a strategic area for wind farming, the area is also designated as “visually vulnerable”. The appeal states: “The more robust the landscape, the greater the flexibility to locate a development of this nature.
“The area around Slieve Callan is not robust in this sense. It is a gentle landscape.”
The appeal also claims that villages such as Connolly would be adversely affected.
If granted planning permission, the development is expected to provide 30 farmers with an aggregate €775,000 each year from the 20-year operation of the wind farm.
The dividend equates to €516,666 for each of the farmers over the course of the project.
The local communities of Connolly, Inagh, Kilmurry Ibrickane, Miltown Malbay and Kilmaley are also to benefit by receiving €46,500 per annum when the wind farm is fully operational.
The promoters state that in total the project will provide €26 million to the landowners, local community and Clare County Council over its duration. The council will receive €10 million in rates during the course of the wind-farm plan.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Approval for Clare wind farm
CLARE COUNTY Council has given the go-ahead for construction of the largest community-owned wind farm development in Ireland.
However, the project must now wait for a grid offer from the national grid, which could take several years.
The €200 million project will see West Clare Renewable Energy build 28 wind turbines on a slope at Mount Callan between Ennis and Miltown Malbay. The original application sought permission to erect 31 turbines.
The initiative will generate enough power to cover every home and business in Co Clare. Construction of the project will generate up to 300 jobs.
The wind farm will be located on 3,000 acres owned by 30 farm families, who have a majority stake in the company, which also includes planning and energy experts.
The project, which will cut carbon emissions by 4.4 million tonnes of carbon over its lifetime, will also meet the Limerick Clare Energy Agency’s 2010 targets for emissions reductions and renewable energy production.
“Mount Callan offered the perfect combination of wind resource, transmission lines and available land for wind farms,” said the company’s chairman Padraig Howard.
The project is said to be the largest of its kind in Clare since the development of the Ardnacrusha power station.
Mr Howard said the landowners have also invested financially in the company, and it is hoped that local investors would come on board to fund the project when construction begins.
He said this could begin next year if an offer from the national grid to connect to it was forthcoming. The site is less than a kilometre from the national grid.
“Unlike other areas, there is no new transmission lines to be built to service this wind farm; it’s already in existence, but we still can’t connect to it. That’s really the only stumbling block at the moment.
“We’ve been calling on them to take on projects that have planning permission secured, that are close to existing grid infrastructure so there isn’t a major capital investment to connect them, and that have a strong community focus; we have all three of those.”
The project could be subject to an appeal. Not everyone in the local area was behind the wind farm, with a number of objections lodged to the application. Some of these dealt with the proximity of the turbines to homes.
Renewable energy could bring a significant jobs boost to the county, and fits in with the Government’s predictions that up to 80,000 jobs could be created by the “green economy” by 2020.
Members of the local community would be offered preference for the jobs in both construction and at the wind farm once it was operational, the company said.
Landowner John Talty said there was a sense of optimism about the wind farm. “We would like to build on this decision to attract spin-off investment into towns such as Miltown Malbay, Ennistymon, Kilrush and Ennis.
“The greening and decarbonisation of Co Clare’s economy is crucially important for sustainable economic recovery. The jobs boost is desperately needed, with over 10,000 people on the Live Register in Clare and emigration once again becoming a preferred option of the youth of Co Clare.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
However, the project must now wait for a grid offer from the national grid, which could take several years.
The €200 million project will see West Clare Renewable Energy build 28 wind turbines on a slope at Mount Callan between Ennis and Miltown Malbay. The original application sought permission to erect 31 turbines.
The initiative will generate enough power to cover every home and business in Co Clare. Construction of the project will generate up to 300 jobs.
The wind farm will be located on 3,000 acres owned by 30 farm families, who have a majority stake in the company, which also includes planning and energy experts.
The project, which will cut carbon emissions by 4.4 million tonnes of carbon over its lifetime, will also meet the Limerick Clare Energy Agency’s 2010 targets for emissions reductions and renewable energy production.
“Mount Callan offered the perfect combination of wind resource, transmission lines and available land for wind farms,” said the company’s chairman Padraig Howard.
The project is said to be the largest of its kind in Clare since the development of the Ardnacrusha power station.
Mr Howard said the landowners have also invested financially in the company, and it is hoped that local investors would come on board to fund the project when construction begins.
He said this could begin next year if an offer from the national grid to connect to it was forthcoming. The site is less than a kilometre from the national grid.
“Unlike other areas, there is no new transmission lines to be built to service this wind farm; it’s already in existence, but we still can’t connect to it. That’s really the only stumbling block at the moment.
“We’ve been calling on them to take on projects that have planning permission secured, that are close to existing grid infrastructure so there isn’t a major capital investment to connect them, and that have a strong community focus; we have all three of those.”
The project could be subject to an appeal. Not everyone in the local area was behind the wind farm, with a number of objections lodged to the application. Some of these dealt with the proximity of the turbines to homes.
Renewable energy could bring a significant jobs boost to the county, and fits in with the Government’s predictions that up to 80,000 jobs could be created by the “green economy” by 2020.
Members of the local community would be offered preference for the jobs in both construction and at the wind farm once it was operational, the company said.
Landowner John Talty said there was a sense of optimism about the wind farm. “We would like to build on this decision to attract spin-off investment into towns such as Miltown Malbay, Ennistymon, Kilrush and Ennis.
“The greening and decarbonisation of Co Clare’s economy is crucially important for sustainable economic recovery. The jobs boost is desperately needed, with over 10,000 people on the Live Register in Clare and emigration once again becoming a preferred option of the youth of Co Clare.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Wind farm could take five years to be operational
The businessman behind plans to construct a €200 million wind farm in west Clare has admitted that it may be five or six years before it becomes operational.
Director of West Clare Renewable Energy Ltd Pádraig Howard said that the project may not be operational until the Government changed how connections to the national grid were allocated.
Earlier this year, the company lodged an application for the 31 turbine 410 ft high wind farm on 3,000 acres of upland around Mount Callan over the Atlantic, that would produce sufficient energy to power 59,000 homes.
The project is facing local opposition, but during its 20-year operational phase, the wind farm could provide a windfall of €15.5 million to 30 farm families in the area.
For wind farms to proceed, they require a connection to the grid; currently grid connections are being allocated through the Government’s “gate three” process.
Mr Howard has admitted that the company is towards the end of the queue for the grid connection. “We applied in 2007,” he said. “We are well down the list.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Director of West Clare Renewable Energy Ltd Pádraig Howard said that the project may not be operational until the Government changed how connections to the national grid were allocated.
Earlier this year, the company lodged an application for the 31 turbine 410 ft high wind farm on 3,000 acres of upland around Mount Callan over the Atlantic, that would produce sufficient energy to power 59,000 homes.
The project is facing local opposition, but during its 20-year operational phase, the wind farm could provide a windfall of €15.5 million to 30 farm families in the area.
For wind farms to proceed, they require a connection to the grid; currently grid connections are being allocated through the Government’s “gate three” process.
Mr Howard has admitted that the company is towards the end of the queue for the grid connection. “We applied in 2007,” he said. “We are well down the list.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 27 November 2009
Clare wind farm ‘could damage peatland’
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) has claimed that a €12 million wind farm in northeast Clare could damage the landscape if the proper stress tests are not conducted.
Last month, Clare County Council gave SWS Energy Ltd planning permission to construct an eight-turbine wind farm to the south of the Maghera mountain range near the village of Tulla.
In its appeal to An Bord Pleanála the conservation body said: “If the proper stress tests specific to peat soils are not conducted . . . construction could lead to a bog burst. With the aim of protecting the rare . . . blanket bog habitat and the birds of international concern, the above proposed development should not be permitted to go ahead.” A decision from An Bord Pleanála is not expected until March.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Last month, Clare County Council gave SWS Energy Ltd planning permission to construct an eight-turbine wind farm to the south of the Maghera mountain range near the village of Tulla.
In its appeal to An Bord Pleanála the conservation body said: “If the proper stress tests specific to peat soils are not conducted . . . construction could lead to a bog burst. With the aim of protecting the rare . . . blanket bog habitat and the birds of international concern, the above proposed development should not be permitted to go ahead.” A decision from An Bord Pleanála is not expected until March.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Best-selling writer appeals Clare wind farm decision
AUTHOR Niall Williams says he will be forced to move from his west Clare home if a planned 120m (395ft) high wind farm is built just more than 500m from his property.
The author of seven novels, Williams has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála against a Clare County Council decision to grant planning permission to Aonghus Coughlan for a two-turbine wind- farm.
The Dubliner and his wife, Christine Breen, moved to Ms Breen’s ancestral family home in the isolated village of Kiltumper, near Kilmihil, in 1985 to write.
In their objection lodged with the council, Williams said the “flashing” effect caused by the rotating blades of the wind turbines, when the sun was shining, would have a nauseating, disorientating effect because of a particular eye condition he had.
“As a result, my lifestyle in Kiltumper, my home for nearly 25 years, would be enormously compromised, and because of fears for my health, I would be forced to sell and move from the area . . . Needless to say, in the event of the windfarm going ahead, we would seek legal representation to address the liability for the loss of our livelihood here.”
But letters of support for the plan have been lodged by local organisations including Kilmihil GAA Club, Kilmihil soccer club and Kilmihil farmers’ association.
The council rejected the Williams’s arguments and gave the the plan the go-ahead, stating it would not seriously injure the amenities of the area. A decision is due on the appeal later this year.
Meanwhile, plans for a separate €50 million wind farm near the Co Clare village of Lissycasey are being threatened by a claim to turf-cutting rights going back generations.
Last month, ESB subsidiary Hibernian Windpower lodged plans for an 11-turbine wind farm at Boolneagleragh in the region.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The author of seven novels, Williams has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála against a Clare County Council decision to grant planning permission to Aonghus Coughlan for a two-turbine wind- farm.
The Dubliner and his wife, Christine Breen, moved to Ms Breen’s ancestral family home in the isolated village of Kiltumper, near Kilmihil, in 1985 to write.
In their objection lodged with the council, Williams said the “flashing” effect caused by the rotating blades of the wind turbines, when the sun was shining, would have a nauseating, disorientating effect because of a particular eye condition he had.
“As a result, my lifestyle in Kiltumper, my home for nearly 25 years, would be enormously compromised, and because of fears for my health, I would be forced to sell and move from the area . . . Needless to say, in the event of the windfarm going ahead, we would seek legal representation to address the liability for the loss of our livelihood here.”
But letters of support for the plan have been lodged by local organisations including Kilmihil GAA Club, Kilmihil soccer club and Kilmihil farmers’ association.
The council rejected the Williams’s arguments and gave the the plan the go-ahead, stating it would not seriously injure the amenities of the area. A decision is due on the appeal later this year.
Meanwhile, plans for a separate €50 million wind farm near the Co Clare village of Lissycasey are being threatened by a claim to turf-cutting rights going back generations.
Last month, ESB subsidiary Hibernian Windpower lodged plans for an 11-turbine wind farm at Boolneagleragh in the region.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Clare set to get third wind farm
A THIRD wind farm for Co Clare is set to get the green light this year as part of the Government’s bid to increase its electricity from green sources to 20 per cent by 2020.
In 2003, Hibernian Windpower Ltd secured planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for the construction of a 350 ft high five turbine wind farm at High Street, Lissycasey.
Clare County Council had refused planning permission for a 10-turbine wind farm in an upland bog area and the appeals board granted planning to five of the turbines after Hibernian Windpower Ltd appealed the decision.
The council refused planning permission for the proposal due to fears that it could have an effect on 80 acres of upland active blanket bog 3km from Lissycasey.
Seven wind farms have been given planning permission in Clare, however the difficulties in securing a grid connection has resulted in only two wind farms proceeding: at Moanmore near Kilrush and Booltiagh near Connolly.
However, prior to Hibernian securing planning permission, the Commission for Energy Regulation imposed a moratorium in December 2003 on the issuing of new connection offers for wind farms to the national grid, thus stopping the wind farm from proceeding.
However, with the moratorium now lifted, Hibernian Windpower expects a grid connection for the wind farm to be issued in 2009.
Applying to the council for an extension in the planning permission, Hibernian Windpower states: “Substantial progress has been achieved in completing this project and significant services and engineering that are fundamental to achieving substantial works have been completed.”
The company says the application for extension of time arises from the unavoidable and unplanned delay in getting the project under way.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
In 2003, Hibernian Windpower Ltd secured planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for the construction of a 350 ft high five turbine wind farm at High Street, Lissycasey.
Clare County Council had refused planning permission for a 10-turbine wind farm in an upland bog area and the appeals board granted planning to five of the turbines after Hibernian Windpower Ltd appealed the decision.
The council refused planning permission for the proposal due to fears that it could have an effect on 80 acres of upland active blanket bog 3km from Lissycasey.
Seven wind farms have been given planning permission in Clare, however the difficulties in securing a grid connection has resulted in only two wind farms proceeding: at Moanmore near Kilrush and Booltiagh near Connolly.
However, prior to Hibernian securing planning permission, the Commission for Energy Regulation imposed a moratorium in December 2003 on the issuing of new connection offers for wind farms to the national grid, thus stopping the wind farm from proceeding.
However, with the moratorium now lifted, Hibernian Windpower expects a grid connection for the wind farm to be issued in 2009.
Applying to the council for an extension in the planning permission, Hibernian Windpower states: “Substantial progress has been achieved in completing this project and significant services and engineering that are fundamental to achieving substantial works have been completed.”
The company says the application for extension of time arises from the unavoidable and unplanned delay in getting the project under way.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
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