23148
for development of a wind farm in the townlands of Fahy Beg, Fahy More North, Ballymoloney, Ballyknavin (Ed O'Briensbridge), Balllyquin More, Woodpark and Leitrim, Co Clare together with the development of an underground grid connection cable to the national grid. The underground grid connection is located primarily within the public road within the townlands of Leitrim, Fahy More South, Ballybrack, Aharinaghmore, Tooreen (Ed Cloghera) Aharinaghbeg, Knockdonagh, Roo East, Blackwater, Rosmadda West, Parkroe, Lackyle (Ed Ballyglass) and Castlebank, Co Clare. Temporary accommodation works to facilitate the delivery of wind turbine components to the site will be required in the townland of Ardataggle, Co Clare. The development will consist of: Construction of 8 no. wind turbines with a blade tip height range from 169m to 176.5m, a hub height range from 102.5m to 110m and a rotor diameter range from 131m to 138m; Erection of 1 no. permanent meteorological mast to a height of 100m above ground level; Construction of 1 no. onsite 38kV electrical substation to ESB Networks (ESBN) specifications and associated compound including Welfare facilities, Electrical infrastructure, Parking, Wastewater holding tank, Rainwater harvesting tank, Security fencing and all associated infrastructure, services and site works including landscaping in the townland of Woodpark; Installation of medium voltage electrical and communication cabling underground between the proposed turbines and the proposed on-site substation and associated ancillary works; Construction of turbine foundations and crane pad hardstanding area; Construction of new site tracks and associated drainage infrastructure; Upgrading of existing tracks and associated drainage infrastructure where necessary; Access to the proposed wind farm site will be from the R466 local road and will consist of the use of an existing quarry entrance in the townland of Leitrim which will be upgraded, as well as the creation of 1 no. new permanent site entrance on the Fahymore local road in the townland of Ballyquin More, and the use of 1 no. existing field entrance which will be upgraded, in the townland of Ballymoloney. The site entrances shall be used for both construction and operation of the proposed wind farm; All associated drainage and sediment control; Installation of new watercourse and drain crossings; Reuse and upgrading of existing internal watercourse and drain crossings; 2 no. temporary construction site compounds and
Core Refusal Reason
The development was refused due to significant adverse visual impacts on a designated scenic route, injury to residential amenity through noise and overbearing scale, and inadequate environmental protection measures for water quality and protected European sites.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The scale and height of the proposed turbines would constitute a prominent and injurious feature on the landscape, negatively altering the character of the R466 Scenic Route and contravening landscape protection objectives.
- The development would seriously injure residential amenities in the vicinity by reason of noise, disturbance, and visual overbearing, failing to strike an appropriate balance between renewable energy and protecting neighboring properties.
- The application failed to provide adequate proposals for spoil and surface water management, creating a significant risk of pollution to watercourses and potential adverse effects on the integrity of hydrologically connected European sites.