5-turbine wind farm proposed at Kellystown Wind Farm Ballymakenny, Co. Louth

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 five-week window for public submissions has closed. The council normally decides within eight weeks of the application being lodged, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

The development description, as lodged

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

Permission for a ten year development for: (i) The construction of 5 no. wind turbines with the following parameters: a) Total tip height range of 179.5m – 180m, b) Rotor diameter range of 149m – 163m, c) Hub height range of 98m to 105m, (ii) Construction of turbine foundations, crane hardstand areas and assembly areas; (iii) All associated wind farm underground electrical and communications cabling connecting the turbines and meteorological mast to the proposed onsite electrical substation including cabling. in the public road corridor in the townlands of Gallstown and Kearneystown; (iv) Construction of 1 no. permanent 38kV electrical substation compound including a single-storey control building with welfare facilities, all associated electrical plant and equipment, security fencing, gates, all ssociated underground cabling, wastewater holding tank, and all ancillary structures and works in the townland of Piperstown. (v) A Battery Energy Storage System within the 38kV electrical substation compound; (vi) All works associated with the connection of the proposed wind farm to the national electricity grid which includes 5 no. of water crossings (3 no. bridges and 2 no. culverts). The provision of joint bays and associated communication chambers along the underground electrical cabling route via underground 38kV electrical cabling predominantly within the public road corridor, from the onsite substation in the townland of Piperstown to the existing Drybridge 110 kV Substation located in the townland of Tullyallen; (vii) Reinstatement of all road and track surfaces above cabling trench along existing roads and tracks in public lands; (viii) Provision of new site access tracks and upgrade of existing site tracks/roads to facilitate access to all onsite infrastructure this includes 3 no. water crossings, passing bays and all associated drainage; (ix) The provision of 2 no. new permanent site entrances for construction and operational access from the local road L6274 in the townlands of Kearneystown and Gallstown; (x) The permanent realignment of 1 no. existing entrance for construction and operational access to the 38kV electrical substation compound from the local road L2275 in the townland of Piperstown; (xi) Use of 1 no. existing site entrance for construction, operational access to the permanent met mast on a private road off local road L2275 in the townland of Drumshallon. (xii) The construction of 1 no. new temporary track in the townland of Castleto