Green light sought for major Mayo wind farm project

Sheskin South Renewables Power DAC is lodging a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for a major wind farm in north Mayo.

The project will be located approximately seven kilometres north east of Bangor Erris and 11 kms. south of the Atlantic coastline and falls entirely within the townland of Sheskin which comprises of lands predominantly under commercial forestry.

The proposal, classified as a 'strategic infrastructure development', involves the construction of 21 wind turbines and associated hard-stands on the site.

The turbines will stand 200 metres in height with a hub height of 115 metres and rotar diametres of 170 metres.

A meteorological mast of 115 metres in height is included in the plan as well as the upgrading of existing tracks and roads, provision of new permanent access roads and a new site entrance.

Four temporary construction compounds with temporary staff offices and staff facilities will be put in place as well as an amenity car park.

The application is seeking a 10-year permission and 35-year operational life from the date of commissioning of the renewable energy development.

An environmental impact report and natura impact statement have been prepared in respect of the project.

Those documents, along with the planning application, can be inspected in the offices of Mayo County Council, Castlebar, for a period of seven weeks commencing on March 8.

The site is accessible from the south via the N59 and travelling northwards on the L52926 local road and then via a forestry gravel road.

The L52926 and forestry road forms part of the Western Way walking trail.

The waymarked route of this walking trail follows the eastern boundary of Sheskin South project site, before continuing northeast towards Ballycastle.