2560414

i. construct 2 no. wind turbines with an overall turbine tip height of 175 metres; a rotor blade diameter of 150 metres; and hub height of 100 metres, and associated foundations and hard standing areas; ii. Upgrade of existing tracks and roads and the provision of new site access roads; iii. Underground electrical and communications cabling connecting the wind turbines to a proposed 38kV on-site substation located in the townland of Ballynaslee Co. Kilkenny; iv. Accommodation works along the N77 National secondary road in the townland of Durrow Townparks, Co. Laois to facilitate the delivery of turbine components and other abnormal sized loads; v. Hedgerow Removal; vi. Biodiversity Management and Enhancement Plan measures (including establishment of new hedgerow, translocation of existing hedgerow and enhancement of existing hedgerow); vii. Spoil Management; viii. Site Drainage; ix. Operational stage site signage; and, x. All associated site development works, ancillary works and apparatus. A 10-year planning permission and 35-year operational life from the date of commissioning of the entire wind farm is being sought. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) accompany this planning application

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The proposed wind farm is located in an 'Area Not Open for Consideration' for wind energy development, representing a material contravention of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The development would materially contravene Policy Objective CM RE 7 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 as the site is located within an 'Area Not Open for Consideration' for wind energy development.
  • Proposed accommodation works at the junction of Chapel Street and Mary Street would adversely affect the character and integrity of the Durrow Architectural Conservation Area.
  • The applicant failed to demonstrate that the proposed cable routing along the N77 is the optimal solution or compliant with TII Publications, posing a risk to the safety and capacity of the national road network.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Policy Objective CM RE 5Policy Objective CM RE 7Map 3.2Policy Objective WES 7Appendix 5 (Wind Energy Strategy)Appendix 2 (Durrow Architectural Conservation Area)

Decision Document Summary

Seskin Renewable Energy Limited sought a 10-year planning permission for a wind farm development consisting of two 175m turbines and associated infrastructure at Tinwear, Archerstown, and Durrow, Co. Laois. The proposal included significant cable routing and road accommodation works along the N77 National Secondary Route. Laois County Council refused permission primarily because the site is situated in an area specifically excluded from wind energy development under the current County Developmen...
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