Kilkenny County Council refuses permission for wind turbine delivery route at Moatpark, 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 2 September 2025. 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 Kilkenny County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

for development at this site.The proposed development, subject of this application, will consist of: i. The construction of 6 no. wind turbines with an overall turbine tip height of 175 metres; a rotor blade diameter of 150 metres; and hub height of 100 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 including vegetative screening, underground cabling, 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); iv. Underground electrical and communications cabling connecting the wind turbines and meteorological mast to the on-site substation; v. A meteorological mast with a height of 100m above ground and associated foundation and hard-standing area; vi. Upgrade of existing tracks and roads and the provision of new site access roads; vii. All works associated with the upgrade of the existing agricultural access off the L58333 local road (including the installation of fencing and steel gates); viii. 2 no. temporary construction compounds (including temporary site offices and welfare facilities); ix. Accommodation works along the N77 National secondary road in the townland of Ballynaslee, Co. Kilkenny to facilitate the delivery of turbine components and other abnormal sized loads; x. A borrow pit; xi. Spoil Management; xii. Hedgerow removal; xiii. Biodiversity Management and Enhancement Plan measures (including establishment of new hedgerow, translocation of existing hedgerow and enhancement of existing hedgerow); xiv. Site Drainage; xv. Operational stage site signage; and, xvi. All associated site development works, ancillary works and apparatus. A 10-year planning permission and 35-year operational life from the date of commissioning of the entire wind farm is being sought. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) accompany this planning application.