An Bord Pleanála approves wind farm despite inspector’s report
In his recommendation, the planning inspector listed a number of environmental concerns including the high rainfall prevalent at the location, the upland and sloping nature of the terrain, and the areas of high landslide susceptibility within the site. “The proposed wind turbines would comprise excessively dominant features and a visually obtrusive form of development in this landscape, which would contribute to the erosion of the visual and environmental amenity of the area.”
Credit: Maitiú Monaghan · March 12, 2025 · agriland.ie ~~
An Bord Pleanála has given permission for the construction of a wind farm in Glenard, Co. Donegal, after rejecting its own inspectors’ report.
The 951ha site of the proposed wind farm development is located on the Inishowen peninsula in Co. Donegal.
The proposal is for the construction of 15 wind turbines, with a minimum tip height of 162m and a maximum tip height of 173m.
It also included a proposal for ancillary forestry felling, to facilitate the construction and operation of the development.
A 110kw permanent electrical substation, including a control building with welfare facilities, all associated electrical plant and equipment security fencing, underground cabling, and a wastewater holding tank, were also proposed.
The farm is being built by FuturEnergy, “a joint venture company owned on a 50:50 basis by Coillte and ESB that launched in November 2021”.
According to FuturEnergy, the farm will generate power equal to that used by 56,000 homes annually.
In his recommendation, the planning inspector listed a number of environmental concerns including the high rainfall prevalent at the location, the upland and sloping nature of the terrain, and the areas of high landslide susceptibility within the site.
“The proposed wind turbines would comprise excessively dominant features and a visually obtrusive form of development in this landscape, which would contribute to the erosion of the visual and environmental amenity of the area,” the inspector said.
In it’s approval, An Bord Pleanála said it did consider the inspector’s report.
The board said that in completing the assessment it also considered the current conservation status, threats and pressures of the qualifying interest features, as well as the likely direct and indirect impacts arising from the proposed development.
It also took the views of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the views of Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs into account.
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