February 15, 2018
Ireland

Special meeting to discuss major wind farm plans for large area north of Barnesmore Gap

Donegal Now | 14th of February 2018 | www.donegalnow.com

A special meeting of Donegal Co. Council has been called to discuss a proposed multi-million euro wind farm project in the county.

Councillors will be asked “to consider a report from the Planning Authority to An Bord Pleanála in relation to Strategic Infrastructural Development for the construction of up to 19 number wind turbines in the townlands of Meenbog, (ED Goland), Croaghonagh and Cashelnavean, in the Stranorlar Municipal District.

As revealed in the Finn Valley Post, the deadline for submissions is Monday, February 19th.

The Finn Valley Wind Action Group believes that people need to make themselves fully aware of what is being planned, and to ensure they get in their submissions on time.

“We would urge people to make themselves familiar with the website and the photomontages,” a spokeswoman told the Finn Valley Post.

Many of the proposed turbines in the development, not far from the Barnesmore Gap, would be visible from the main Ballybofey to Donegal Town road.

Cork based Planree Limited is seeking approval to erect 19 turbines on a 990 hectare site approximately eight kilometers south-west of Ballybofey and Stranorlar, in the townlands of Meenbog, Croaghonagh and Cashelnavean.

In February 2015, Planree Limited applied to An Bord Pleanala to build a larger 49 turbine Carrickaduff Wind Farm in the same region.

But planning permission was refused by An Bord Pleanala on a number of grounds.

Now the promoters have lodged a fresh application for a smaller wind farm.

However, some locals fear that if the current proposals are approved, this will lead to further proposals.

Clanree Limited says that comments and suggestions are welcome and should be emailed to info@enercoenergy.ie.

“We are looking forward to all feedback so we can met the challenge of creating a project that harnesses the wind in a way that also genuinely benefits the local community and environment, and that considers and addresses all concerns raised,” a spokesman said, adding: “We undertake to address all comments received either privately or publicly.”

The proposed wind turbines will have a maximum blade tip height of 156.5 metres.

More information can be found on http://www.meenbogwindfarm.com

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/02/15/special-meeting-to-discuss-major-wind-farm-plans-for-large-area-north-of-barnesmore-gap/