2460008

PERMISSION IS SOUGHT TO RETAIN ALTERATIONS TO THE FRONT FAÇADE OF NO. 50 MAUNSELLS PARK, GALWAY. PREVIOUS PLANNING PERMISSION REFERENCE NUMBER 21/97 REFERS. THE ALTERATIONS CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING: 1: REPLACEMENT OF PITCHED ROOF ON SINGLE STOREY PROJECTION WITH A FLAT ROOF AND ZINC CLADDING 2: STONE CLADDING AT GROUND FLOOR LEVEL 3: RENDERED FINISH OVER BRICKWORK AT FIRST FLOOR LEVEL

Granted

Core Planning Reasoning

The proposal presents an unacceptable risk of peat instability and landslide, which could lead to significant pollution of sensitive waterbodies, notably the Owengar River and its tributaries. The inspector found the information submitted regarding peat stability, storage arrangements, and site-specific drainage to be insufficient and lacking in clarity.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • While the principle of the development is acceptable under renewable energy policies, the applicant failed to provide a robust, evidence-based demonstration that the risk of peat landslide is negligible.
  • There are material lacunae in the documentation regarding the design and drainage of the borrow pit and the management of over 54,000 m³ of excavated peat and subsoil.
  • Given the history of catastrophic peat failures in the immediate vicinity (e.g., Garvagh Glebe and Shass Mountain), a precautionary approach is required, and the current proposal fails to adequately mitigate the associated environmental risks.

Cited Policies (CDP)

RE OBJ 1CA POL 2RE POL 1RE POL 2RE POL 3WE POL 1WE POL 2WE POL 3WE OBJ 1Section 12.6.2Section 13Section 13.20Section 13.20.4Appendix IXAppendix XLCA 11

Decision Document Summary

Letter Wind Farm Ltd. sought permission for a 4-turbine wind farm (150m tip height) and a 6.4km grid connection in a sensitive upland area of Co. Leitrim. The site consists of 45 hectares of commercial forestry and blanket bog near Drumkeeran village. While the Planning Authority refused permission on three grounds (peat stability, impact on SACs, and cumulative avifauna impacts), the Inspector found that shadow flicker, noise, and avifauna concerns could be managed. However, the Inspector recom...
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