July 14, 2014
Northern Ireland

Killyglen wind farm proposal is refused by Planning Service

Larne Times | 14 July 2014 | www.larnetimes.co.uk

Plans to erect a wind farm at a scenic beauty spot on the outskirts of Larne have been rejected.

Developer Apamore Services had proposed creating five turbines, with a maximum blade tip height of 125m, at Killyglen (between Starbog Road and Mullaghsandall Road).

But the Planning Service has given the thumbs down to the project, which received 17 letters of objection.

Planners cited several reasons for the refusal, including that the project would have an “unacceptable adverse impact on visual amenity and landscape character of the area”.

It was also stated that the applicant had provided insufficient information on issues such as noise, natural heritage, historic monuments and historic buildings.

Further, planners asserted that the development would negatively affect local “tourism assets”.

As the location of the planned wind farm is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, planners felt that the “number, scale, size and siting” of the proposal would not be “sympathetic to the special character” of the area.

Other reasons for the refusal was that the development would occur in active peatland, and it would adversely affect biodiversity and conservation interests, due to impacts on bird and habitats.

The decision by planners has been welcomed by Councillor Gregg McKeen, who said: “If approved, this development would have been a major blot on the landscape.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/14/killyglen-wind-farm-proposal-is-refused-by-planning-service/