Cork County Council refuses permission for wind farm grid connection works at Inchnamore / na hInse, Co. Cork

In context

It is one of 8 wind energy applications Cork County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 63 nationally. Of the 84 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 9 February 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

We, Inchamore Wind Designated Activity Company, intend to apply for permission for a ten-year planning permission for a renewable energy development. The entirety of the renewable energy development constitutes the provision of a five-turbine wind farm and all associated works on land in both Counties Cork and Kerry. The development for will consist of : 1) a wind farm with an operational lifespan of 35 years (from date of commissioning of the development), 2) the construction of five turbines with an overall ground to blade tip height ranging from 177m to 185m inclusive; a rotor diameter ranging of 149m to 155m inclusive; and a hub height ranging from 102.5m to 110.5m inclusive, 3)construction of permanent turbine hardstands and turbine foundations, 4) Construction of one temporary construction compound with associated temporary site offices, parking areas and security fencing. 5) installation of a (35-year life cycle) meteorological mast with a height of 110m and a 4m lightning pole on top, such that the overall structure will be 114m, 6) development of an on-site borrow pit, 7) construction of a new permanent internal site access roads to include passing bays and all associated drainage infrastructure. 8) development of a permanent internal site drainage network and sediment control systems. 9) construction of a permanent 38 kV electrical substation including a control building with welfare facilities, all associated electrical plant and equipment, parking security fencing and gates, all associated underground cabling, wastewater holding tank, and all ancillary structures and works, 10) all associated underground electrical and communications cabling connecting the wind turbines to the on-site wind farm substation, 11) ancillary forestry felling to facilitate construction of the development, 12) all associated site development works including berms, landscaping, and soil excavation. Advisory note: A planning application is being lodged with Kerry County Council in relation to the elements of the project that are within the townland of Derryreag (Dhoire Aimhréidh) Co.Kerry, including the upgrade of the site entrance off the N22 and permanent forest track upgrade works. The planning application will be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS). Tá sé beartaithe againne, inchamore Wind Cuideachta Ghníomhaíochta Ainmnithe, iarratas adhéanamh ar Chead maidir le cead pleanála deich mbliana d’fhorbairt fuinnimh in-athnuaite. Is ionann an fhorbairt fuinnimh in-athnuaite ina hiomláine agus feirm ghaoithe cúig thuirbín a sholáthar ahus ne hoibreacha gaolmhara go léir ar thailte I gContaetha Chorcaí agus Chiarraí. Beigh an fhorbairt comhdhéanta de: 1) Feirm ghaoithe le saolré oibriúcháin 35 bliain (ó dháta coimisiúnaithe na forbartha), 2) Tógáil cúig thuirbín le aired iomlán ó thalamh go barr an lann le ó 177m go 185 san áireamh; trastomhas rótar ó 149m go 155m san áireamh; agus aired moil ó 102.5m go 110.5m san áireamh, 3) Tógáil cruasheatán tuirbíní, 4) Tógáil príomhshuíomh tógála sealadach amháin le hoifigí suímh shealadacha ghailmhara, limistéir pháirceála agus fálú slándála, 5) Suiteáil crann meisteareolaíochta (saolré 35 bliana) a bheidh 110 méadar ar aired agus cuaillle tintrí 4m ar a bharr, sa tslí is go mbeidh aired foriomlán se 114 méadar ag an struchtúr, 6) Forbairt sloc iasachtaí amháin ar an láthair, 7) Tógáil buanbhóithre rochtana inmheáncha nua don láithreán agus uasghrádú ar bhóithre rochtana inmheánacha láithreacha chun cúinsí pasála agus an bonneagar draenála gaolmhar go léir a áireamh. 8) Forbairt líonra inmheánach draenála suímh buan agus córais rialathe dríodair, 9) fostáisiún buan leictreach 38kV a thógáil lena n-áirítear foirgneamh rialaithe le háiseanna leasa, gach gléasra agus trealamh leictreach gaolmhar, páirceáil, fálú slándála agus geataí, gach cábla faoi thalamh a bhaineann leis, umar coinneála fuíolluisce, agus gach struchtúr agus oibreacha coi