2351240

(A) CONSTRUCTION OF ONE ENERCON E138 WIND TURBINE ON A 99M TOWER WITH AN ELECTRICAL RATING OF 4.2MW AND AN OVERALL TIP HEIGHT OF 169M, (B) THE CONSTRUCTION OF WIND TURBINE FOUNDATION, HARDSTANDING AND ASSEMBLY AREA, (C) PROVISION OF A SITE ENTRANCE AND AN ACCESS TRACK WITHIN THE SITE, (D) CONSTRUCTION OF AN ON-SITE 20KV SUBSTATION AND UNDERGROUND ELECTRICAL CABLE AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT AND ANCILLARY WORKS

Granted

Core Planning Reasoning

The Board is not satisfied that the development would not detrimentally impact residential amenity through cumulative noise impacts from the proposed turbine in combination with existing and permitted wind farms, nor that sufficient information was provided to evaluate its impact on biodiversity, landscape, and visual amenity.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The applicant failed to demonstrate that cumulative noise levels from the proposed turbine, existing Killybegs Wind Farm, and permitted Bradán Wind Farm would remain within acceptable limits for nearby residential properties.
  • Significant information gaps exist in the bird and bat surveys and the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, preventing a robust assessment of potential environmental and visual impacts.
  • The project is considered an extension of the permitted Bradán Wind Farm rather than a standalone development, thereby exceeding thresholds that make an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) mandatory.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Policy WE-P-1Policy WE-P-3Policy WE-P-8Objective E-O-1Objective E-O-2Objective E-O-5Policy E-P-3Policy E-P-5Policy TOU-P-2Policy L-P-2Policy L-P-5Policy L-P-6Policy L-P-7Policy T-P-11Policy T-P-14Policy WW-P-2

Decision Document Summary

The proposal seeks permission for a single wind turbine (149.61m tip height) and associated works at Cullion, Killybegs, on a site dominated by blanket bog and forestry. Although Donegal County Council granted permission, the Inspector recommends refusal following a third-party appeal. The Inspector argues that the applicant's 'standalone' approach is flawed; the project shares infrastructure with the adjacent Bradán Wind Farm and is being developed by the same entity, which the Inspector classi...
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