Core Refusal Reason
The development was refused due to significant adverse landscape and visual impacts on a highly sensitive upland area, the inadequacy of the local road network to safely accommodate construction traffic, and insufficient information regarding cumulative noise impacts.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The project would cause significant and disproportionate adverse visual impacts on the Killeshin Hills Landscape Character Area, interfering with established scenic routes and protected views.
- The local road network is of restricted width and capacity, and the applicant failed to prove it could safely accommodate the heavy HGV traffic required during the construction phase.
- There is a lack of sufficient information to ensure that cumulative noise levels from the operation of the wind farm would not be prejudicial to public health and residential amenity.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy WE P4Policy LA P1Policy LA P2Policy LA P3Policy LA P11Objective WE O1Chapter 7Chapter 9Appendix VIAppendix VII
Decision Document Summary
The proposal by EDF Renewables Ireland Limited involved the construction of a 7-turbine wind farm with a tip height of up to 180m, a battery storage system, and a 38kV substation in the townlands of Ridge, Agharue, Coolnakisha, and Seskinrea, Co. Carlow. Carlow County Council refused permission primarily because the site is located within the highly sensitive Killeshin Hills 'Uplands' landscape, where such large-scale infrastructure would negatively impact protected views and scenic routes. Addi...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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