2560771
WE, TAURBEG LIMITED, INTEND TO APPLY FOR PERMISSION FOR DEVELOPMENT AT THIS SITE IN THE TOWNLANDS OF COOM AND KNOCKATEE, COUNTY KERRY. THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WILL CONSIST OF: i. PERMANENT REMOVAL OF COMMERCIAL FORESTRY (DEFORESTATION) OVER AN AREA OF APPROX. 105.5 HA AND THE RESTORATION OF OPEN PEATLAND AND CREATION OF SCRUB HABITAT WITHIN THE FELLED AREA. ii. RESTORATION OF FARMLAND HABITAT TO GOOD QUALITY HEN HARRIER FORAGING HABITAT THROUGH DIVERSIFYING THE RANGE AND EXTENT OF HABITATS OVER AN AREA OF APPROX. 17.7 HA; iii. ALL ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS INCLUDING FENCING. THE DEVELOPMENT IS COVERED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY DIRECTIVE III (DIRECTIVE 2023/2413) [ ] YES [?] NO 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 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT COMPRISES OFFSETTING MEASURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE TAURBEG WIND FARM AT GLASHEENANARGID, TAURBEG AND TAURMORE, COUNTY CORK. THE ENCLOSED EIAR ASSESSES BOTH THE DEFORESTATION, HABITAT RESTORATION AND ANCILLARY WORKS PROPOSED AS PART OF THIS PLANNING APPLICATION AND ALSO THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE EXISTING TAURBEG WIND FARM AND ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT FOR A FURTHER PERIOD OF 10 YEARS IN THE TOWNLANDS OF GLASHEENANARGID, TAURBEG AND TAURMORE, COUNTY CORK. THE TAURBEG WIND FARM IS LOCATED IN A SEPARATE PLANNING JURISDICTION (CORK COUNTY COUNCIL) AND WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF A SEPARATE PLANNING APPLICATION TO THAT PLANNING AUTHORITY.
Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate that the proposed habitat offsetting measures would not adversely affect the integrity of the Special Protection Area (SPA) for the Hen Harrier, while also creating potential conflicts with wind farm repowering objectives and the operations of Kerry Airport.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The Planning Authority is not satisfied that the development, in conjunction with the Taurbeg Wind Farm, would not result in adverse impacts on the Hen Harrier or the integrity of the Stack’s to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA.
- The proposal could compromise the potential continuation or repowering of nearby permitted windfarms, which would contravene the renewable energy development objectives of the Kerry County Development Plan 2022-2028.
- The applicant failed to adequately address the potential impact of the proposed development and associated wildlife hazard management on the continued operation and sustainable development of Kerry International Airport.