Green light for eight-turbine wind farm in north Mayo

PLANS for a new wind farm in north Mayo have been approved by Mayo County Council.

ABO Energy Ireland Ltd. are behind the project, comprising eight turbines, in the townlands of Keerglen, Ballykinlettragh and Ballinglen, near Ballycastle.

The project known as Keerglen Wind Farm is on a site measuring c.81.88 ha.

A number of local objections were submitted voicing concern about the impact of the proposal, including by Lacken Ballycastle Landscape Protection Group, representing concerned locals in the catchment area.

Their concerns included visual and ecological impact and protecting the potential of the Ceide Fields and surrounding area as a possible World Heritage Site.

The submission stated: 'The North Mayo Boglands constitute an open-air laboratory with a unique, natural human history archive contained within them. This ancient, pristine, unadulterated treasure trove of monuments in an area of great cultural heritage significance is well worthy of World Heritage Status and demands to be protected by the appropriate organs of the state.'

The application is a 10-year planning permission, with a 30-year operational lifespan from the date of the commissioning of the wind farm. A community benefit fund is part of the overall project.

The grant of permission is subject to a number of conditions.