Clare County Council refuses permission for 7-turbine wind farm at Kilbane Killeagy (Ryan) Shannaknock, Magherareagh and Lackareagh Beg, Co. Clare

In context

It is one of 4 wind energy applications Clare County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 61 nationally. Of the 85 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 74% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 23 October 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues. The applicant sought a 10-year permission, which sets how long they have to start the development.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Clare County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

The development will consist of: (i) The construction of 7 no. wind turbines with the following parameters: a. Total tip height range of 179.5m – 180m, b. Rotor diameter range of 149m – 155m, c. Hub height range of 102.5m to 105m, (ii) Construction of associated foundations, hardstand and assembly areas; (iii) All associated wind farm underground electrical and communications cabling connecting the turbines and mast to the proposed electrical substation; (iv) Construction of 1 no. permanent 38kV electrical substation including a single-story control building with welfare facilities, all associated electrical plant and equipment, security fencing, entrance on to new access road, all associated internal underground cabling, drainage infrastructure, wastewater holding tank, retention separator tank, and all ancillary works, in the townland of Killeagy (Goonan), Co. Clare; (v) A Battery Energy Storage System within the 38kV electrical substation compound; (vi) 1 no. permanent meteorological mast of c. 36.5m in height, associated foundation and hard-standing area in the townland of Shannaknock; (vii) The permanent upgrade of 1 no. existing site entrance off the L7080 (‘The Gap Road’) for the provision of construction and operational access; (viii) Provision of 3 no. new permanent site entrances off the L7080 for the provision of construction and operational access; (ix) Provision of 3 no. new temporary site entrances off the L7080 for the provision of construction access; (x) Upgrade of existing tracks/ roads, including the L7080, and the provision of new site access roads, 4 no. watercourse crossings, junctions and hardstand areas; (xi) 1 no. temporary construction compound with temporary offices and staff facilities in the townland of Killeagy (Goonan); (xii) 1 no. temporary storage area in the townland of Killeagy (Goonan); (xiii) 1 no. borrow pit in the townland of Killeagy (Goonan); (xiv) Peat and Spoil Management; (xv) Tree Felling to accommodate the construction and operation of the proposed development; (xvi) Operational stage site and amenity signage; and (xvii) All ancillary apparatus and site development works above and below ground, including soft and hard landscaping and drainage infrastructure. A 10-year planning permission and 35-year operational life of the wind farm from the date of commissioning of the entire wind farm is sought. A Design Flexibility opinion issued by Clare County Council on 22nd April 2024 accomanies this application. The de