Planning sought for extension to permitted East Donegal windfarm
Lettergull Windfarm Ltd seek extra 135 metre wind turbine for permitted plans
Planning permission has been sought by Donegal County Council for the extension of a permitted East Donegal windfarm.
Lettergull Windfarm Ltd is seeking permission to include an extra wind turbine along with associated infrastructure, underground electrical cabling, site entrances and access roads within an already permitted application.
The proposed site for the windfarm is situated approximately 5km from St Johnston and Raphoe and covers an area of approximately 10 hectares.
In July 2020, Lettergull Windfarm Ltd was granted planning permission on an appeal, after an initial refusal to be awarded planning permission, for a 10-year planning permission for a windfarm with a 30-year operational life and all associated works.
The granted development would consist of six wind turbines with an overall blade tip height of up to 135 metres, and one anemometry mast up to a height of 100 metres, along with all associated site works.
Donegal County Council has now received an application for the development on lands within and adjoining the permitted Lettergull Windfarm, which would comprise the provision of renewable energy development consisting of one wind turbine with an overall blade tip height of 135 metres, a rotor diameter of 115 metres, and a hub height of 77.5 metres.
A planning report prepared by MKO Planning and Environmental Consultants concluded: “The application for the proposed project recognises the parallel interests of tackling climate change while aiming to safeguard residential amenity and to protect species and habitats.
“Consideration of this fact has been central to the design of the proposed project and in the preparation of the EIAR, NIS, and mitigation measures proposed. The EIAR demonstrates that, if consented, the Proposed Project will be capable of being constructed, operated and decommissioned without giving rise to any significant impacts on the environment generally.
“Ultimately, it is considered that this Proposed Project is in accordance with the provisions of proper planning and sustainable development and due to the suitability of the site and the urgent need for renewable energy development of this scale.
“National climate and renewable energy objectives, and the decarbonisation of Irish society as a whole is dependent on the rapid expansion of wind energy in Ireland. The scale of the challenge Ireland faces in decarbonising its economy is enormous, but the climate change implications of not doing so are even greater.
“The proposed project will support the decarbonisation of the electricity sector and the decarbonisation of other sectors, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels for energy generation and enhancing Ireland’s energy security.”
Lettergull Windfarm Ltd is an associated company of Regen Power Ltd, who are in turn, “backed by Impax Asset Management, described as a “leading investment firm dedicated to facilitating the transition to a sustainable economy.”
Donegal County Council has set a decision due date for the submitted application for June 25.