Planning bid for Offaly wind farm

Europe's largest generator of renewable energy has signalled its intention to seek planning permission for a wind farm development in north Offaly which will include seven turbines reaching a maximum height of 185 metres.

Ballinla Wind Farm Ltd, which is part of the Norwegian state-owned renewables giant; Statkraft, which entered the Irish market in 2018, is to seek planning permission directly from An Coimisiun Pleanála following a recommendation from the planning board last November that the large-scale project constituted Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID).

The recommendation was made in an Inspector's Report which was prepared as part of a pre-application consultation process with the planning board. The ruling paved the way for Statkraft Ireland to bypass the Offaly County Council planning process and seek planning approval directly from An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Ballinla Wind Farm Ltd is seeking permission for the proposed development of a wind farm in the townslands of Leitrim; Ballyfore Big; Ballyleakin and Ballina (Geashill By), approximately 4km west of Edenderry for seven wind turbine generators with a maximum blade tip height of 185 metres; one 110kv electrical substation; one LiDAR station based on the ground; nd all associated works.

The plans also include two new site entrances from the L5010 local road, along with new and upgraded internal site access tracks. The planning notice also indicates the inclusion of temporary works on sections of the public road network and private lands along the turbine delivery route on the L-5006 road and also at the junction of the R402 Regional Road which links Edenderry to Tullamore and the R420.

The applicant is seeking a ten-year permission, and an operational period of 35 years from the date of the commissionning of the entire Ballinla Wind Farm, and the planning notice states that the proposed substation and associated infrastructure will be permanent.

An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Nature Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared and accompany the planning application.

Submissions/observations on the proposed development can be made for seven weeks from September 5 to An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64. Marlborough St, Dublin 1 in writing, or online at www.pleanala.ie All submissions must be received by 5.30pm on October 24 next.