Donegal County Council to oppose huge Finn Valley wind farm

By Kate Heaney

DONEGAL County Council planners are to ask An Bord Pleanála (ABP) to reject proposals to build Ireland’s largest wind farm in the Finn Valley.

Plans were formally lodged last month by Planree Ltd for up to 49 huge turbines, some with a maximum height of 500 feet, as part of the Carrickaduff Wind Farm, stretching from the iconic Barnesmore Gap, along the Tyrone border, to near Castlefin.

A copy of the planners report, seen by the Donegal News, is to be presented at a special ‘information’ meeting in Lifford this morning (Monday) to discuss the council’s submission in relation to the project.

According to planners, the wind farm proposal, as it stands, “should be refused.”

“The planning authority would not be in favour of a decision to grant planning permission at this time. However, if an Bord Pleanala is minded to grant planning permission on the basis of the particulars presently proposed, the planning authority would recommend conditions concerning the following matters.”

The conditions recommended by the council include the omission of around 30 of the 49 proposed turbines which, according to objectors, would make the project unviable.

“The omission of all turbine, No’s 1-20, as proposed in order to remove any possibility of adverse impact on the designated view and prospect over Lough Mourne and the designated EHSA lands of Barnesmore Gap,” the report said.

Meanwhile, almost 150 submissions and objections from members of the public on both sides of the border were received by ABP before last Friday’s deadline.

A spokesperson for ABP confirmed that, by 3 pm on Friday, 141 submissions were logged on their system, however, this was expected reach to close to 200 by close of business.

For full report, see Monday’s Donegal News or subscribe to our online edition.

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