DEVELOPERS behind plans to build Ireland’s largest wind farm are seeking ‘retention’ permission for two unauthorised masts near Killygordon.
Over the last two years, Planree Ltd erected the 80 metre (262) steel structures at Lismulladuff and Ballyarrell Mountain (Cornashesk) to gather data for the proposed 49 turbine Carrickaduff Wind Farm.
Following complaints by local residents, Donegal County Council referred the matter to An Bord Pleanala (ABP), asking it to decide whether or not the masts were exempt from planning permission.
Last month ABP told the council the structures were not deemed ‘exempted development.’
However, last week the developer submitted two separate applications to the council seeking to retain the masts for a further 12 months.
According to documents submitted with the applications, the Cornashesk mast was erected in July 2015 for the purpose of wind assessment in the area. Planree said it was erected on site as “exempted development.”
This was subject to a referral by the council ABP as planning regulations stated that only one temporary mast can be erected per site.
The developer is now arguing that, as the current site extends to 1,707 hectares (4,218 acres) over a distance of 26 km, it is necessary to erect more than one mast to accurately map and measure the “wind regime” within the area.
For full report, see today’s (Monday) Donegal News.
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