Kilkenny County Council refuses permission for 7-turbine wind farm with 185m turbines at Acragar Ballyconra Ballycuddihy Ballyroe, Co. Kilkenny

In context

It is one of 4 wind energy applications Kilkenny 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 27 February 2025. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

for a period of 10 years for a development at this site situated in the townlands of Acragar, Ballyconra, Ballycuddihy, Ballyroe, Ballyroe (Grace), Ballyroe (Maher), Baunaniska, Boherkyle, Briskalagh, Brittas, Clone, Coolnapisha, Curraghduff, Freshford, Freshford Lots, Graigueswood, Grange, Huntstown, Kilmanagh, Knockeenglass, Knockown, Moatpark, Monabrika, Monavadaroe, Moneenaun, Oldtown, Oldtownhill, Parksgrove, Picketstown, Rathealy, Sart, Sweethill, Tobernapeastia, Tullaroan, Upperwood Demesne, Co. Kilkenny. The development will consist of the provision of the following: i. 7 no. wind turbines with an overall turbine tip height of 185 metres; a rotor blade diameter of 163 metres; and hub height of 103.5 metres, and associated foundations and hard-standing areas; ii. A permanent 38kV substation compound (control building 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 Ballyragget 110kV substation in the townland of Moatpark (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 a Protected Structure (Kilkenny RPS Ref. C886); iv. Underground electrical (33kV) and communications cabling connecting the wind turbines and meteorological mast to the on-site substation; v. 3 no. temporary construction compounds (including site offices and welfare facilities); A meteorological mast with a height of 30 metres, security fencing and associated foundation and hard standng area; vii. A new temporary site entrance on the L1009; viii. A new gated site entrance on the L5024; ix. Upgrade of existing site tracks/ roads and provision of new site access roads, junctions and hardstand areas; x. A borrow pit; xi. Spoil Management; xii. Tree felling and hedgerow removal; xiii. Biodiversity Management and Enhancement Plan measures (including establishment of a riparian buffer and hedgerow enhancement); xiv. Site Drainage; xv. Operational Stage site signage; and xvi. All ancillary works and apparatus. A thirty five-year operational life from the date of full commissioning of the wind turbines and subsequent decommissioning of the wind turbines is being sought. An Environmental I