Monaghan County Council grants permission for single-turbine wind farm with 143.8m turbines at Legarhill and Clonavilla, Co. Monaghan

In context

It is one of 2 wind energy applications Monaghan County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 54 nationally. Of the 77 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 73% 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 8 October 2026. 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 Monaghan County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

10-Year planning permission for development. The development will consist of the construction of a Single Turbine Wind Farm development on a 7.64-hectare site consisting of:- a) A single 4.8-megawatt (MW) wind turbine with an overall tip height of 143.8 metres, comprising a rotor diameter of 133.2m and a hub height 78m;b) Wind turbine foundation, crane hardstanding and assembly area; c) Temporary Construction Compound; d) Upgrade of an existing field entrance to new wind farm site entrance; e) Upgrading and widening of existing access tracks; f)New access tracks; g) A new 10.5m clear span bridge crossing an existing stream; h) Demolition of the ruinous remains of two old stone buildings; i) An on-site 20kV electrical substation; j) Electrical and communication cabling within private lands; k) Underground 20kV grid connection within private lands and within the R183 public road connecting to the existing ESB Clones 38kV Substation; l) Tree felling, landscaping and reinstatement works; and m) All associated ancillary works. The operational lifespan of the development will be 35-years from the date of commissioning. This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413) and it is important to note that the planning application may be subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply Significant further information received relates to submitted Appropriate screening assessment, Bat Mitigation Monitoring Plan, Bird Mitigation Monitoring Plan, Ecological Impact assessment, Noise Impact Report, Shadow flicker report, FI Response Report, Flood Risk Assessment, Water environmental assessment and revised plans