June 5, 2017
Ireland

Rejected Laois-Kilkenny wind farm appeals to An Bord Pleanala

Wind farm refused by Laois County Council appeals to An Bord Pleanala | By Ryan Dunne | Leinster Express | 2 Jun 2017 | www.leinsterexpress.ie

A decision by Laois County Council to refuse permission for a wind farm situated across Laois and Kilkenny has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

Pinewood Wind Limited were refused permission to build 11 wind turbines, each with a maximum height of up to 136.5 metres, at a development which would have spanned Knockardugar, Boleybawn, Garrintaggart, Ironmills and Graiguenahown, County Laois.

The proposed development was part of a larger development which also extends onto lands in the townland of Crutt, County Kilkenny.

The plans attracted mass objections from residents of the proposed areas and elected officials, who raised numerous concerns including fears over health, noise and visual amenity.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, Portlaoise, said the proposed development was not a sufficient distance from houses and could have had a health impact on humans and bloodstock.

Cllr Padraig Fleming, The Swan, and Cllr John Joe Fennelly, Abbeyleix, both said that the development should be at least 1.5km from houses, and raised concerns over the impact on the environment.

And Cllr John Brennan, Castlecomer, Kilkenny, raised concerns over noise and the threat to wildlife.

Among submissions made by local residents, David Malone, Environmental Action Alliance Inc. St Joseph’s Terrace, Portarlington, said the development was not in line with the proper planning or sustainable development of the area.

Kieran Brophy, Spink, Abbeyleix, pointed out that the developer had been offering every house within 1,030m of the development €500 off their electricity costs, which he described as “bribery”.

Aine English, Ironmills, Ballinakill, said the development would have “a catastrophic impact” on her business, Mount Nugent Stud.

“Due to the nature and fragility of the thoroughbred, no client will want their mares and foals and racehorses adjacent to a wind farm,” she said.

And Martin Gorman, Moate, Ballinakill, said the proposed development would impact negatively on buildings on his land, which include a cottage dating back to the 1800s.

In the wake of such objections, Laois County Council refused the wind farm permission. Pinewood Wind Limited has now appealed this decision to An Bord Pleanala.