Plans for large wind farm close to Waterford beauty spot rejected amid local opposition

An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for a proposed 10-turbine wind farm in County Waterford amid concerns about the environmental impacts and the scale of the development.

Coumnagappul Wind Farm Ltd had sought permission for a large-scale renewable energy project across several townlands in the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains, including Carrigbrack, Knockavanniamountain and Skeehans.

The proposed development - on a more than 200-hectare site - was opposed by elected members of the local authority who urged An Bord Pleanála to refuse permission. At a special meeting of Dungarvan and Lismore Municipal District last year, councillors expressed concern about the scale of the proposal and capacity of the local road network to cater for the traffic associated with the development.

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In her report, which has just been published, Planning Inspector Bríd Maxwell raised concerns about the project’s impact on the sensitive upland landscape and the surrounding community.

“The proposed development would give rise to significant adverse visual and environmental impacts in a landscape of national importance and would materially contravene key provisions of the Waterford County Development Plan," she stated.

"In my view, the proposed wind farm would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and set an undesirable precedent for large-scale energy development in this sensitive mountain setting.”

The proposal to develop the windfarm had attracted strong local opposition, particularly from the Comeragh Community Development Group, which highlighted concerns over biodiversity, water pollution risks, and disruption to rural life.

According to planning documents, the developer argued the project would help meet Ireland’s renewable energy targets. They also argued that the Waterford City and County Council Wind Energy Strategy is "irrational and not consistent with regional and national policy."

The applicant also rejected concerns that the wind farm would impact on the property values in the area over the long term.