Proposed wind farm project near Mayo Abbey rejected by planners

PLANNING permission for a seven-turbine wind farm development near Mayo Abbey has been refused by Mayo County Council.

Planners felt the project would undermine what is an important early Christian ecclesiastical site, and there was also concern about the impact on residential properties in the area.

There was significant local opposition to the plans put forward by Cunlaghfadda Green Energy Ltd. for the townlands of Knockroe, Cunlaghfadda, Harefield, Cloonbaul and Knockaunakill.

In total, 169 third party submissions and observations were received by council planners raising concerns. A joint representation opposing the project was also received from Councillor Richard Finn and Councillor Patsy O’Brien where they highlighted concerns about the visual impact on the historic village of Mayo Abbey, as well as shadow flicker, and impacts on water sources, the unique local landscape and local road infrastructure.

In refusing permission, the council found that the site is located in an exposed and open landscape, with high to medium potential to create adverse impacts on the existing landscape character.

It would constitute a highly obtrusive development that would detract from the existing cultural heritage of the area, and would undermine the setting of Mayo Abbey Cemetery and Church ruins, a very important early Christian ecclesiastical site. It would erode the local landscape and visual quality of the public open views in the vicinity and would adversely impact on the unique rural character of the immediate local area. The proposed wind turbines would therefore constitute excessively dominant features and a visually obtrusive form of development in this rural landscape and would seriously injure the landscape which it is necessary to preserve and injure the visual amenities of the area, the planning report stated.

The planning decision also considered that the extent of technology required to attempt to address the potential for the development to impact negatively on the residential amenity of 40 residential properties as a result of the potential for excessive shadow flicker indicated that the proposed location is unsuitable for a development of this nature and scale, due to the existing level of residential properties in the immediate area.

It would have the potential to seriously impact on the residential amenity of the area and depreciate the value of property in the area and was therefore contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.