Laois County Council refuses permission for wind turbine delivery route at Tinwear Archerstown and Durrow, Co. Laois

In context

There were 61 nationally in the past twelve months. 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 Laois County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

i. construct 2 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. Upgrade of existing tracks and roads and the provision of new site access roads; iii. Underground electrical and communications cabling connecting the wind turbines to a proposed 38kV on-site substation located in the townland of Ballynaslee Co. Kilkenny; iv. Accommodation works along the N77 National secondary road in the townland of Durrow Townparks, Co. Laois to facilitate the delivery of turbine components and other abnormal sized loads; v. Hedgerow Removal; vi. Biodiversity Management and Enhancement Plan measures (including establishment of new hedgerow, translocation of existing hedgerow and enhancement of existing hedgerow); vii. Spoil Management; viii. Site Drainage; ix. Operational stage site signage; and, x. 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