August 5, 2020
Ireland

Decision on South Roscommon wind farm status pushed back until September

Roscommon Herald | Tuesday, August 04, 2020 | roscommonherald.ie

A decision from An Bord Pleanála on whether to grant strategic infrastructure development (SID) status to a proposed €100 million wind farm in South Roscommon has been pushed back until next month.

ABP had been due to decide on the case today but this has been delayed with September 1 st as the new “tentative” decide by date.

SIDs are described as developments of strategic economic or social importance to the State or a region. If granted SID status, An Bord Pleanála will make the decision on the application rather than the local authority.

Energia Renewables and Galetech Energy Developments said they were obliged to seek SID status under planning legislation due to the project’s power output.

A spokesperson for the development has previously told the Herald that ABP is expected to grant the application.

There is continued opposition to the development locally, following a lengthy battle against a 35 turbine farm in the same area. ABP denied permission for the development, which was proposed by Galetech Energy Developments, in 2017.

Local man Ted Kelly said that the local authority, and not An Bord Pleanála, should be making the decision, given the environmental sensitivities in the area.

The map of the project shows that seven turbines will be located to the northeast of the village of Dysart. The remaining 14 turbines are placed in a triangle area of land between Dysart, Taughmaconnell, and Brideswell.

The maximum tip height of the turbines will be up to 180 metres high and the developers intend to submit a planning application for the proposed project in early 2021.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/08/05/decision-on-south-roscommon-wind-farm-status-pushed-back-until-september/