Core Planning Reasoning
The development is located in a 'Not Normally Permissible' area for wind energy under the Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategy (LARES), would significantly detract from the character of a high-sensitivity/iconic landscape, and lacks sufficient information in the EIAR and NIS to rule out adverse effects on the environment and European sites.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed development would materially contravene the Galway County Development Plan 2022-2028, specifically policies relating to landscape preservation and wind energy zoning in 'Not Normally Permissible' areas.
- The Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) is fundamentally inadequate, particularly regarding the assessments of population health, biodiversity, traffic safety, and peat stability in the location of proposed floating roads.
- A conclusion of no adverse effect on the integrity of several European sites, including the Connemara Bog Complex SPA and Lough Corrib SAC/SPA, cannot be reached due to deficiencies in collision risk modeling, peat failure assessments, and cumulative impact analysis.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CC6RE1RE2RE3RE5LCM1LCM2LCM3NR1NR2NR3NR4NNR2NHB1NHB2NHB3PVSR 1DM Standard 69DM Standard 28DM Standard 33
Decision Document Summary
The proposal involves the erection of 6 wind turbines with a tip height of 185m and a total capacity of 40.8MW at a site near Maam Cross, Co. Galway. The site context is defined by a sensitive rural landscape of upland blanket bog adjacent to several SACs and SPAs. The Inspector's arguments for refusal center on the project's location in a zone designated 'Not Normally Permissible' for wind energy and its intrusive impact on 'Class 3 Special' and 'Class 4 Iconic' landscapes, which are vital to t...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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