February 23, 2016
Ireland

Council refuse Kinnagoe Bay wind farm development application

Tuesday 23rd of February 2016 | Donegal Now | www.donegalnow.com

Donegal County Council have decided to refuse a wind farm development application at Kinnagoe Bay.

The application was refused on the basis that the development is “sited in an intrusive and prominent position within a natural, rural and coastal environment of striking and particular visual and scenic amenity.”

The whole basis for refusal is underpinned by the value that the planners bestow on the Wild Atlantic Way, according to General Election candidate Niamh Kennedy.

“The subject site is located within a sensitive coastal environment and in proximity to an identified Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way and at a location which occupies a prominent position on the skyline on the approach to the said discovery point from the public road network to the east, which is identified as in the WAW as a Scenic Driving Section,” stated the refusal.

The planners go on to state that so named ‘scenic driving sections’ are a ‘fundamental element of the WAW’ selected to ‘provide the visitor with opportunities to see and experience the best land and seascapes along the route spine’ and discovery points are selected on the basis that ‘they provide an exceptional Wild Atlantic experience.’

Cllr Kennedy welcomed the decision, saying that Kinnagoe Bay was the straw that broke the camel’s back when it came to wind farms.

“It’s time to appreciate the beauty of our landscape, the health issues, the environmental issues and the impact on the tens of thousands of visitors to our Wild Atlantic Way, including our cruise ship tourism industry,” she said.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/02/23/council-refuse-kinnagoe-bay-wind-farm-development-application/