An Coimisíun Pleanála refuses Glenties wind farm citing eagle safety
Proposed eight-turbine wind farm in Graffy, near Glenties, refused by An Coimisíun Pleanála
An Coimisíun Pleanála has refused to grant planning permission to an eight-turbine wind farm near Glenties, with the risk to White-tailed eagles and Golden eagles cited as reasons for the refusal.
Donegal County Council refused planning permission for the Graffy Windfarm project in October 2021, a decision which was upheld by An Comisíun Pleanála in December 2023. However, a successful appeal to the High Court allowed the applicants, Cuilfeach Teoranta, to reactivate their planning appeal to An Coimisíun Pleanála in 2025.
Proposed plans were for a 10-year permission for an amended wind farm development with an operational life of 30 years, consisting of eight wind turbines, along with an 80-metre-high meteorological mast to be situated in the townland of Graffy.
Within the Direction of An Coimisíun Pleanála’s Planning Commissioner, Emer Maughan, signed on October 30, 2026, it was written: “While the proposed development would contribute to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the subject site is not suitable for wind energy development, which would be contrary to the sustainable development of the area.
“The proposed development would also have significant adverse impacts on the ornithological importance of the area.
“The precedent it would set would therefore not pursue, or contribute to, the transition to an environmentally sustainable and biodiversity-rich economy, as required under the national climate objective.
“The Commission is satisfied that a refusal of permission as indicated above is consistent with its obligations under section 15(1)(a) and (d) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.”
It was noted that the proposed development was to be located on a site which lies within an area designated for ‘Especially High Scenic Amenity’ and was considered “that the proposed development, sited at this location, would constitute a highly obtrusive development that would detract from the existing natural character of the area, would undermine the setting of this unspoilt valley and would erode the designated scenic landscape and visual quality of this rural area and compromise the scenic amenities of this visually sensitive and vulnerable area.”
Furthermore, it was written that the site was situated in an area of “ornithological value” and that “it is considered that the siting, height, scale and operation of the proposed turbines would result in a significant risk of collision for the Annex I bird species White-tailed Eagles and functional habitat loss and displacement for Annex I bird species Golden Eagle.”
Continuing the reasoning in relation to the ornithological value, it was stated: “In respect of the Golden Eagle and the White-tailed Eagle, both of which are classed as 'high sensitivity to wind farm developments', it is considered that potential risks to the aforementioned Annex 1 species have not been adequately addressed in the form of scientific evidence and conclusions.
“The proposed development would, thus, have significant adverse impacts on the ornithological importance of the area by way of collision risk for White-tailed Eagle and functional habitat loss and displacement for Golden Eagle, adversely impacting these protected bird species and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”