Galway County Council refuses permission for 8-turbine wind farm at Gannow Attimonmore South Attimonbeg, Co. Galway

In context

It is one of 3 wind energy applications Galway 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 21 November 2025. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

for a period of 10 years for a development consisting of the provision of the following: i. 8 no. wind turbines with an overall turbine total tip height range of 178m - 185m, a rotor diameter range of 149m - 163m, and turbine hub height range of 101m - 104m, and associated foundations and hard standing areas; ii. A permanent 38kV substation compound (including a control building (157.6 sqm) with welfare facilities, all associated electrical plant and apparatus, security fencing, underground cabling, storage containers, wastewater holding tank, site drainage and all ancillary works); iii. Permanent underground electrical (38kV) and communications cabling to the existing Cashla Substation in the townland of Barrettspark (including joint bays, communication and earth sheath link chambers and all ancillary works along the route). This cabling route is primarily located within the public road corridor which includes protected structures (RPS No. 3747, RPS No. 146). iv. Underground electrical (20/33kV) and communications cabling connecting the wind turbines and meteorological mast to the proposed on-site substation; v. 2 no. temporary construction compounds (including site offices and welfare facilities (with a combined floor area of 202.5 sqm); vi. A meteorological mast with a height of 30 meters, security fencing and associated foundation and hard-standing area; vii. Upgrade of existing site tracks/ roads and provision of new site access roads, junctions and hardstand areas, including a new site entrance off the L3115; viii. Peat and Spoil Management Areas; ix. Tree felling and vegetation removal; x. Biodiversity enhancement measures (including peatland habitat enhancement, Marsh Fritillary habitat enhancement and management, establishment of hedgerows and native woodland planting); xi. Site drainage; xii. Operational stage site signage; and xiii. All ancillary works and apparatus. A thirty five-year operational life from the date of full commissioning of the wind turbines and subsequent decommissioning is being sought. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in respect of the proposed development and accompany this application. An Opinion on Unconfirmed Details issued by Galway County Council (Opinion Ref. No. 25/MP/2) on 29th May 2025 accompanies this application. The details unconfirmed in this application are the turbine total tip height, rotor diameter and hub height. The range of parameters un