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CONSTRUCTION OF A WIND TURBINE WITH AN OPERATIONAL LIFESPAN OF 30 YEARS FROM COMMISSIONING, WITH A TIP HEIGHT OF APPROXIMATELY 150 METRES, CONTROL BUILDING, UPGRADING OF SITE ENTRANCE, SITE ACCESS ROAD (APPROXIMATELY 195 METRES), HARDSTAND AREAS, UNDERGROUND CABLING AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The Planning Authority refused the application because the site was located in an area 'not open for consideration' for wind energy and breached a 10x tip height setback requirement from residential properties; however, the Inspector recommended a grant, finding these local policies to be in abeyance due to a Ministerial Direction and the visual impacts to be acceptable.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The development is consistent with national strategic objectives under the National Planning Framework and Climate Action Plan to increase renewable energy capacity and reduce fossil fuel dependence.
  • The local policy constraints cited by the Planning Authority, specifically the 10-times tip height setback and 'not normally permissible' designations, are currently subject to a Ministerial Direction and do not constitute a valid statutory basis for refusal at this time.
  • The visual impact is considered acceptable as the site is located within an area of 'Moderate Scenic Amenity' (the lowest classification), and the landscape is deemed robust enough to assimilate a single turbine without significant injury to residential or visual amenities.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Policy E-P-12Objective E-O-6Policy NH-P-7Policy ED-P-12Policy EP3Policy EP24Policy E-O-1Objective E-O-7Appendix 3 Section 6.5Map 8.2.1Map 7.1.1

Decision Document Summary

This report pertains to a first-party appeal by Protricity Limited against Donegal County Council's decision to refuse permission for a single wind turbine (150m tip height) and associated infrastructure at Multins, Bruckless. The Planning Authority's refusal was based on the project's location in an area not designated for wind energy and its proximity to dwellings (c. 650m), which breached local setback standards. The Inspector argues that these specific local policies are currently in a state...
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