Moavane windfarm gets green light

An Bord Pleanala has upheld Offaly County Council's decision to grant planning permission for a windfarm in Moanvane, four kilometres from Geashill.

The council's decision to give the green light for a 12 turbine windfarm was appealed by two third parties, Heather Crest Stud and Geashill Windfarm Information Group. It was also the subject of an appeal by the developer, Element Power.

Heather Crest Stud's boundary is within 340m of one of the turbines. According to the ABP report, the owners of Heather Crest opposed the development on the grounds that it “will render their livelihood unviable with trainers and breeders confirming that horses will be withdrawn from the stud farm”.

Geashill Windfarm Information Group objected to the development on a number of grounds including “the loss of amenity” and the impact that it will have on the strong demand for housing in the area.

Element Power appealed the council's decision to omit two turbines from the original application as one of its planning conditions.

Among the reasons given by An Bord Pleanala for upholding Offaly County Council's decision were that the application was in line with national policy “with regard to the

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