THE process of submitting a renewed planning application for a massive wind farm in the Finn Valley resumed this week, it has emerged.
Back in March, An Bord Pleanala (ABP) refused permission to Planree Ltd for the proposed Carrickaduff Wind Farm, consisting of 49 turbines – some with a height of 156 metres – on a site along the border between Barnesmore Gap and Castlefinn.
However, the Cork-based company has applied to ABP to start a ‘pre-application process’, asking the planning authority to considered their project under procedures for Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID).
When contacted by the Donegal News, an ABP spokesman said the pre-application process was at the ‘initial stage’ and the developers have yet to reveal the scale of the proposed development.
He added that the process could ‘take months’ and the submissions from the public can only be accepted when a formal application is made.
A Planree spokesperson did not reply to our query in relation to the new application this week.
However, the company denied that it had any connection to the Derry-based businessman who claimed in an English court that plans were at an advanced stage to build a mystery ‘€1 billion’ wind farm on a 35,000-acre in Donegal.
As result of the claim, by Donegal native Noel Shortt, an English investor escaped jail after the judge said he did not want to jeopardise the project.
A spokesperson for the FVWA group said it was aware that a new application by Planree was imminent, but expressed disappointment that the pre-application process had started, given that it was “possibly related” to the one referred to by Mr Shortt.
The spokesperson added it remains committed to opposing any development that “would have any effect on the daily lives and amenities of the local residents.”
For full report, see Friday’s Donegal News or subscribe to our digital edition.
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