Longford Residents say they will object to wind farm plan

A local group of residents are concerned about a planning application that is being sought for the construction of a massive windfarm in county Longford with claims it will have a 'detrimental impact' on wildlife, biodiversity and peatland drainage.

Bord na Móna Powergen Limited has submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) for the proposed development of the Derryadd Wind Farm.

The proposed development will consist of 22 turbines, with an expected installed capacity of 132MW and an overall tip height of 190 metres. 25km of internal road network, approximately 18km of which is intended for amenity use, is also proposed.

Chairperson of the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park – Awareness Group Niall Dennigan, who was formerly the PRO of the ‘No to Derryadd Windfarm’ group who successfully opposed plans from Bord na Móna to develop a windfarm, said they will be objecting to the new plan.

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Mr Dennigan remarked, "We can assure everyone that we will be objecting to this application as before and that we will continue to highlight the truth as to what is happening and what will be lost on these bogs."

A local group of residents are concerned about a planning application that is being sought for the construction of a massive windfarm in county Longford with claims it will have a 'detrimental impact' on wildlife, biodiversity and peatland drainage.

Bord na Móna Powergen Limited want to construct 22 wind turbines in a rural lands near Lanesboro.

The company last week indicated they intend to formally apply to An Bord Pleanála for planning permission for the project.

The proposed development would consist of turbines being located across 34 townlands including Aghamore, Annaghabeg, Ballynakill, Corlea, Derryad, Derryart, Mosstown and Rappareehill.

The proposed development will consist of 22 turbines, with an expected installed capacity of 132MW and an overall tip height of 190 metres. 25km of internal road network, approximately 18km of which is intended for amenity use, is also proposed.

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The planning application is considered strategic infrastructure and for that reason and the scale of the project it will be considered directly by An Bord Pleanála.

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Chairperson of the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park – Awareness Group Niall Dennigan, who lives in Magheraveen, which is less than 1km to the edge of these bogs, told the Leader the group of seven local people have numerous concerns.

Mr Dennigan was formerly the PRO of the ‘No to Derryadd Windfarm’ group who successfully opposed plans from Bord na Móna to develop a large windfarm in the locality with initial details outlined in 2016.

In 2021, the High Court overturned planning permission granted to a Bord na Móna subsidiary for the Derryadd Wind Farm that included 32 turbines.

Mr Dennigan stated he was not surprised, despite the planning refusal back then, that the company had returned with another planning application.

"I am not surprised by anything Bord na Móna do these days, particularly after the last planning application.

"They stated back in 2016 that if the last planning application wasn’t successful then that would be that, but here we are despite all the previous information around wildlife and pumping/drainage activities taking place on these bogs.

"We will highlight the concerns as we did before around biodiversity and peatland drainage," he added.

Mr Dennigan said after the last application the ‘No to Derryadd Windfarm’ group focused on the establishment of the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park (MSWP).

"It was something that became very apparent during our initial campaign that a vast amount of people in the communities were unaware that such a magnificent project was to take place upon bog closures, so it was decided to highlight this more predominantly to bring something amazing to Lanesboro and Longford," he added.

Asked about the similarities and differences he has noticed about this windfarm planning application compared to the last, Mr Dennigan said there are some notable changes.

"Bord na Móna have been more vocal this time around about the MSWP being part of the proposed wind farm and try to blend it in with what they are trying to create with the wind farm.

"Previously they had not even indicated this area as a tourism spot as per their own documentation, and now they are trying to highlight it."

Mr Dennigan stated it was "clearly and discussed in detail at the oral hearing of their last planning application that the wind farm and park cannot coexist" due to the implications to wildlife.

"The amount of roadways and turbine bases will have a detrimental impact on habitats and wildlife on these bogs, and already has, as habitats are being needlessly abolished to clear a path for wind farm needs.

"All will be highlighted in our objection, as these lands are currently being drained and pumped without planning permission," he added.

A Bord na Móna Powergen Limited spokesperson said, “Due to the nature and scale of the proposed development an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been carried out. All of this information is described and documented in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) which accompanies the planning application documentation submitted to ABP for consideration.”

The spokesperson added, “If approved, the Derryadd Wind Farm will offer a range of local benefits, including a dedicated Community Benefit Fund, while supporting the objectives set out in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2024.”