November 25, 2017
Northern Ireland

Decision on windfarm overturned

By Ryan McAleer | Ulster Herald | November 25, 2017 | ulsterherald.com

A Hertfordshire based renewable energy developer has succeeded in overturning a decision by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to refuse planning permission for a major wind farm near Drumquin.

Ten 125 metre turbines are now set to be built on the mountainside as part of Dooish Wind Farm, which is owned by Doreen Walker.

The project had been refused by planners last year, who cited concerns surrounding its visual impact on the landscape and breaches of noise limits.

Planners also said the location of the development would interfere with the communications network.

Ms Walker had attended a Planning Committee meeting in January 2016 to make her case.

It had been claimed that there was no local objection to the plan.

However councillors backed the planning officer’s recommendation by 7-4.

That decision was overturned by the Planning Appeals Commission on November 11.

In her report to the PAC, Commissioner claimed that the wind farm “offers substantial environmental, economic and social benefits to which significant weight should be attached”.

She also rejected the assertion that the ten 125 metre structures would have an adverse impact on the landscape character of the area.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/11/25/decision-on-windfarm-overturned/