Galway County Council grants permission for single-turbine wind farm with 168m turbines at Cloonascragh, Tuam, Co. Galway

In context

It is one of 3 wind energy applications Galway County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 60 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 October 2023. 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 Galway County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

for the development consisting of a wind energy development comprising of one electricity generating wind turbine, with an overall blade tip height of up to 168m, construction of c. 150m of permanent access track, 110m of temporary access track, road widening works along the existing local access road from the R327 to the proposed site access track, a crane hardstand, a 20kV substation, site electrical & fibre optic cabling & ancillary site works. The maximum output capacity of the wind farm will be c.4.8MW. This application is seeking a 10 year permission & a 35 year operational life from the date of commissioning of the wind farm. The planning application is accompanied by Natura Impact Statement (NIS)