Major development in controversial Kilkenny wind farm saga

Briskalagh Ltd have appealed a decision recently made by Kilkenny County Council refusing them permission to develop a wind farm in north west Kilkenny.

In their reasoning for refusing permission at the time, the local authority stated that “having regard to the size and scale of the proposed development, the Planning Authority considers that the proposed seven (7) number of turbines with 185 metre tip height will, due to the cumulative effects of visual intrusion, combined with noise, flicker and disturbance of access, on a significant number of nearby dwellings in and around the settlements of Tullaroan, Kilmanagh, and Ballycallan, give rise to excessive levels of adverse effects on residential amenity in the area.”

The Planning Authority, in its assessments of the applicants’ specialist chapters of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) found ‘a number of significant deficiencies in the quality and quantum of data provided, particularly in the areas of landscape and visual effects, material assets, noise, ecology and hydrology’.

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The local authority also noted ‘a significant lack of supporting information for certain ecological receptors (such as birds) in both the Stage 1 Screening and Stage 2 Natura impact Statement, and certain elements of the mitigation measures’.

The decision to the refuse planning permission was originally met with ‘relief’ by local group KBT (Kilmanagh, Ballycallan, Tullaroan) Responsible Energy.

The decision to refuse planning permission will now be reviewed and a decision will be expected from An Bord Pleanála by July 29, 2025 (subject to change).

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