January 23, 2021
Ireland

Developer to go ahead with wind farm plans

Eimear Dodd | Wicklow People | January 23 2021 | www.independent.ie

The developer of a proposed wind farm near Baltinglass has confirmed its plans to press ahead with the project.

ABO Wind Ireland Ltd said this week it is set to lodge an application with Wicklow County Council for permission to construct five 165m wind turbines at Kilranelagh Hill.

The plan has already been the focus of sustained local opposition due to the archaeological features on the site, which is part of the Baltinglass Hillfort Complex. The Save Wicklow’s Ancient East and West Wicklow Wind Action Group committees set up a GoFundMe campaign last month to raise funds for any potential appeal against the development.

According to the planning notice published in last week’s edition of this paper, ABO Wind intends to apply for a ten-year grant of permission for the development of a wind farm in the townlands of Kilranelagh, Colvinstown Upper, Bailinroan Upper, Boleycarrigeen, Spinans West, Kill, Eadestown South, Eadestown Middle, Ballintruer More, Castleruddery Lower and Castleruddery Upper.

The proposal includes the construction of five wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 165m, a transformer at each turbine, a 38kV electrical substation, 6.5km of 38kV underground cabling along the public roads to facilitate the connection of the wind farm substation to the existing Stratford 38/110kv substation and other associated site works.

Permission is also to be sought for a 1km heritage trailer including information signage at key heritage sites in the area, car parking, replacement of the existing grass verge with a 1m wide footway at several bridge crossings, 30m permanent meteorological mast, temporary site compound and other associated site works.

On its website, ABO Wind said the heritage trail would ‘facilitate interpretation of the local archaeological and heritage assets embedded in the landscape that surround the proposed development through pre-organised, guide-led tours of the archaeological sites and cultural heritage features within the site’.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2021/01/23/developer-to-go-ahead-with-wind-farm-plans/