25/5406
Permission for the continued operation of the existing Taurbeg Wind Farm, which includes 11 no. turbines, a 38kV substation and associated infrastructure (as permitted by cork county council ref N/02/3608) for a further period of 10 years from the date of expiry of the current planning permission and for the decommissioning of the entire Taurbeg Wind Farm at the end of that further period. All elements of the wind farm are pre-existing and no modifications are proposed to the existing Taurbeg wind farm as part of this planning application. The Taurbeg wind farm comprises the following elements: 1. 11 no. existing wind turbines with a tip height of 108.2 metres and all associated foundations and hardstanding areas, 2) 1 no. existing onsite 38kV electrical substation including a control building, associated electrical plant and equipment, welfare facilities and a wastewater holding tank, 3) 1no. existing meteorological mast with height of 67m, 4) all existing underground electrical and communications cabling connecting the existing wind turbines to the existing onsite 38kV substation, 5) an existing gated site entrance and existing internal access tracks, 6) existing site drainage, 7) existing ancillary infrastructure, associated site fencing and signage. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in relation to the proposed development and accompany this planning application. The EIAR assess both the continued operation of the Taurbeg wind farm as well as integral elements of the wider project comprising the undertaking of removal of commercial forestry and restoration of farmland habitat at Coom and Knockatee County Kerry, which constitute offsetting measures associated with the continued operation of the Taurbeg Wind Farm. These offsetting measures are located in a separate planning authority jurisdiction (Kerry County Council) and will be subject of a separate planning application to the planning authority.
Core Refusal Reason
The proposal materially contravenes County Development Plan objectives by seeking to extend the life of a wind farm in a 'Normally Discouraged' area without demonstrating exceptional circumstances or proving that the development would not adversely affect the integrity of the Stack’s to Mullaghareirks, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development materially contravenes Objective ET 13-8 as it is located in an area where wind energy is 'Normally Discouraged' and the applicant failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances to justify the extension of the operational life.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that the continued operation would not result in significant habitat loss for foraging and breeding Hen Harriers or that collision risks were not underestimated, thereby failing the requirements of the Habitats and Birds Directives.
- The Planning Authority is precluded from considering imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI) because the applicant failed to provide a robust and satisfactory assessment of reasonable alternatives to the project.