November 17, 2014
Ireland

Firm appeals refusal for wind farm near Trump resort

Gordon Deegan | Irish Independent | 17/11/2014 | www.independent.ie

US billionaire Donald Trump has not won the battle yet to prevent a giant wind farm going ahead near his Doonbeg golf resort.

This follows Clare Coastal Windpower Ltd, the firm behind the wind farm, lodging an appeal to An Bord Pleanala against Clare County Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the €20m nine-turbine plan.

Twenty-three local landowners will enjoy a dividend if the wind farm proceeds thanks to lease payments from the firm.

However, the plan – for turbines 20ft taller than Dublin’s Spire – is facing widespread opposition in the Doonbeg area with Mr Trump’s golf resort leading the charge against the plan.

The CEO of the Trump organisation, George Sorial, yesterday said the Trump organisation’s strategy “has not deviated”.

“We will continue to oppose this very unpopular scheme until its ultimate demise,” he said.

Speaking from New York city, Mr Sorial confirmed a submission will be sent to An Bord Pleanala on the appeal.

Already, the firm has lost over €420,000 on its investment in the current project and a previous, but larger and unsuccessful 45-turbine wind farm at the Doonbeg site.

The most recent accounts for Clare Coastal Wind Power Ltd show it had accumulated losses of €426,071 to the end of December last.

The energy firm points out that the nearest turbine to the golf resort would be 4km away and the site is located in area designated as ‘accepted in principle’ for wind farm development. A decision is due on the appeal next year.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/11/17/firm-appeals-refusal-for-wind-farm-near-trump-resort/