Anger at wind farm approval

The decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a wind farm in Cloghan has been met with anger by those who objected to the plan.

A number of objections had been submitted to the nine-turbine project but the planning authority granted permission, subject to conditions.

Two years ago Offaly County Council granted planning permission to Galetech Energy to construct the project, to a maximum height of 150 metres. However this was appealed to An Bord Pleanala which has now given the project the green light.

Although an inspector with An Bord Pleanála had expressed reservations, the board decided to give the project the go ahead to the
the wind farm project in West Offaly.

There are 21 conditions attached including that the project should be completed within 10 years; that the construction will be supervised by experienced environmental personnel and that the avian radar monitoring system will be installed and operating prior
to the proposed development being operated.

Another condition is that the proposed habitat and species management plan shall be submitted to, and agreed in writing with, the
planning authority, following consultation with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.