Go-ahead given for €600 million Mayo wind farm

THE way has been cleared for the development of a €600 million wind farm in north Mayo, one of the biggest in the country.

An Bord Pleanála announced its decision to grant planning permission, subject to 20 conditions, for a 61-turbine project (reduced from an original proposal of 112) put forward by an ESB/Bord Na Móna consortium, Oweninny Power Limited.

The site of the proposal is close to the old peat fire generating station at Bellacorick.

The proposal had been the subject of a protracted planning appeal process.

Much to the dismay of local community interests, the board ruled that it does not consider the imposition of a condition that the developers make an annual payment of monies into a community gain fund to be necessary in the present circumstances.