2151990
A 10 YEAR PERMISSION FOR AN AMENDED WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT, WITH AN OPERATIONAL LIFE OF 30 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE FIRST COMMISSIONING, IN LIEU OF THE PREVIOUSLY PERMITTED WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT [AN BORD PLEANÁLA REFERENCE NUMBER: PL 05B.237656] CONSISTING OF (A) ERECTION OF EIGHT WIND TURBINES WITH BOTH A NORDEX 133 AND AN ENERCON 126 MODEL ASSESSED, WITH ONLY ONE TYPE OF THE IDENTIFIED TURBINE MODELS TO BE ERECTED IN THE TOWNLANDS OF GRAFFY, MEENAMANRAGH, AND DALRAGHAN MORE, GLENTIES; (B) ASSOCIATED ACCESS TRACKS & HARDSTANDS, UNDERGROUND CABLE CONNECTIONS AND PEAT RECOVERY AREAS IN THE TOWNLANDS OF GRAFFY, MEENAMANRAGH, DALRAGHAN MORE, GLENTIES; (C) A METEOROLOGICAL MAST 80M HIGH IN THE TOWNLAND OF GRAFFY, GLENTIES; (D) A SUBSTATION AND A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION COMPOUND IN THE TOWNLAND OF MEENAGRUBBY, GLENTIES; (E) AN UNDERGROUND GRID CONNECTION, CIRCA 7.5KMS LONG, FROM THE PROPOSED SUBSTATION AT MEENAGRUBBY TO THE TIEVEBRACK ELECTRICITY STATION AT DRUMNALOUGH THROUGH THE TOWNLANDS OF MEENAGRUBBY, MEENAMANRAGH, GRAFFY, BANGANBOY, STRACASHEL, MEENAMALRAGH, DRUMCONCOOSE AND DRUMNALOUGH, GLENTIES; (F) ROAD STRENGTHENING, VERGE WIDENING AND CULVERT EXTENSIONS ALONG THE DELIVERY ROAD THROUGH THE TOWNLANDS OF LUGAVEEN, TIEVERAGH, DALRAGHAN MORE, MEENAMANRAGH AND GRAFFY AND A NEW ROAD SECTION AT LUGAVEEN TO FACILITATE DELIVERIES OF TURBINES. AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT (EIAR) AND NATURA IMPACT STATEMENT (NIS) ACCOMPANIES THIS APPLICATION
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development would cause significant adverse visual impacts on a designated Especially High Scenic Amenity area and carries unacceptable risks to protected bird species (Merlin, Golden Eagle, and White-tailed Eagle), failing to satisfy Appropriate Assessment requirements regarding the Lough Nillan Bog SPA.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development would be highly obtrusive and dominate a visually sensitive landscape designated as Especially High Scenic Amenity, materially conflicting with protective policies in the Donegal County Development Plan.
- Significant scientific doubt remains regarding the potential for the development to adversely affect the integrity of the Lough Nillan Bog SPA, specifically concerning the displacement of the Merlin population.
- The applicant failed to provide adequate scientific evidence to rule out significant risks of collision and habitat loss for Annex I raptor species, namely the Golden Eagle and White-tailed Eagle, which are highly sensitive to wind farm developments.