January 31, 2017
Ireland

Residents lose appeal over windfarm plan

The Southern Star | Tuesday, 31st January, 2017 | www.southernstar.ie

A number of Ballingeary residents have lost their legal challenge against approval for a windfarm development in Co Cork.

The resident’s concerns included fears about the environmental impact of the development and noise from the turbines.

They disputed An Bord Pleanála’s June 2016 permission for a six-turbine windfarm, a substation, underground cables and associated development in the town lands of Derragh, Rathgaskig, Lack Beg, at Ballingeary.

Following an earlier High Court decision, Framore Ltd, the developer, revised its planning application to relocate one of the turbines some 50m away from its original proposed location in order to ensure all turbines were at least 500m from all residences.

The application was also revised to provide for underground cabling between the site substation and the national electricity grid substation near Kilgarvan, Co Kerry.

In a reserved judgment last week, Mr Justice Brian McGovern dismissed the residents’ case. He dismissed arguments the EIA carried out by the Board was inadequate.

The case had been adjourned for two weeks to allow the judgment to be considered. Eamon Galligan SC, for the residents, said they will consider whether to seek leave to appeal.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/01/31/residents-lose-appeal-over-windfarm-plan/