211441
SEEKING A TEN - YEAR PLANNING PERMISSION AND 35 YEAR OPERATIONAL LIFE FROM THE DATE OF COMMISSION OF THE WIND FARM CONSTRUCTION OF 7 NO. WIND TURBINES WITH THE FOLLOWING MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM PARAMETERS OVERALL GROUND TO BLADE TIP HEIGHT IN THE RANGE OF 170M MAXIMUM TO 169.5M MINIMUM, HUB HEIGHT OF 95M, ROTOR DIAMETER IN THE RANGE OF 150M MAXIMUM TO 149M MINIMUM, TURBINE HARDSTAND AREAS, PROVISION OF 1 NO. PERMANENT METEORLOGICAL MAST WITH A HEIGHT OF 110 METRES, UPGRADE OF EXISTING ROADS AND ACCESS JUNCTIONS, PROVISION OF NEW SITE ENTRANCES, ROADS AND HARDSTAND AREAS, 2 NO. TEMPORARY PEAT STORAGE AREAS, 2 NO. TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION COMPOUNDS, 1 NO. BORROW PIT, ALL SITE DRAINAGE WORKS, 1 NO. ONSITE 38KV SUBSTATION, CONTROL BUILDING AND PLANT, ASSOCIATED SECURITY FENCING AND WASTE WATER HOLDING TANK, ALL ASSOCIATED UNDERGOROUND ELECTRICAL AND COMMUNICATION CABLING CONNECTING THE TURBINES TO THE PROPOSED ON - SITE SUBSTATION, CONNECTION OF THE PROPOSED 38KV ON - SITE SUBSTATION VIA UNDERGROUND CABLE IN THE PUBLIC ROAD TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE EXISTING CLAHANE 110KV SUBSTATION IN THE TOWNLNAD OF PALLAS, ALL ANCILLARY SITE WORKS, APPARATUS AND SIGNAGE. THE APPLICATION IS ACCOMPANIED BY A NATURA IMPACT (NIS) AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT (EIAR)
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed wind farm is located in an area not designated for wind energy development under the Kerry County Development Plan 2022-2028, thereby failing to meet the requirement for plan-led development.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development site is situated entirely outside of areas designated as 'Open-to-Consideration' or 'Repower Areas' as defined in the current County Development Plan.
- The proposal contravenes Development Objective 12-20, which mandates that commercial wind energy projects must be plan-led and confined to specific identified zones.
- Granting permission would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area as it would undermine the strategic spatial objectives of the statutory development plan.