October 10, 2014
Ireland

Doonbeg wind farm refused planning

The Clare Herald | October 10, 2014 | clareherald.com

Clare County Council has refused to grant permission for a 9-turbine wind farm development in the townlands of Carrowmore South, Einagh and Shragh, approximately 2 km south of the village of Doonbeg.

Clare Coastal Wind Power Ltd. had proposed a development comprising nine electricity generating wind turbines with “a hub height of up to 85 metres and a rotor diameter of up to 82 metres giving an overall height of up to 126 in, hardstandings, a control building, an electrical compound, a permanent meteorological mast, associated site roads, drainage and site works”.

Issuing its planning decision, Clare Coutny Council said: “The Clare Wind Energy Strategy, which forms part of the Clare County Development Plan 2011-2017, introduced a comprehensive “plan-led” approach to wind energy development in County Clare. Having regard to the number of existing and permitted wind turbines in the immediate area of the proposed development, Clare County Council considered that an additional 9 Wind Turbines as proposed would lead to an excessive concentration of wind turbines at this location that would be contrary to the provisions of the Clare Wind Energy Strategy and the Clare County Development Plan.”

“It was further considered that the cumulative impact of the proposed development would be seriously injurious to the residential, visual and tourism amenities of the area. Finally, the Planning Authority considered that the potential impact on the Fresh Water Pearl Mussel and other environmental concerns had not been adequately addressed,” the statement concluded.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/10/10/doonbeg-wind-farm-refused-planning/