Roscommon County Council has refused permission for Curlew Energy Limited to erect two wind turbines on the outskirts of Boyle.
The company had initially sought permission for the development last October consisting of the construction of 2 no. wind turbines (turbine tip height of 150m, rotor diameter of 138m) with associated foundations and crane hardstand areas and all associated development including 1 no. substation control building, 1 no. permanent meteorological mast (80m height) and associated foundation, hardstand area and ancillary main crane hardstand area, 1,304m of new internal site service roads, underground electric cabling systems between turbines within the wind farm site, 3.75km of overground electric cabling system and 1.53km of underground electric cabling system between the wind farm site and connection point at existing 38 kV ESBN substation in Boyle, 1 no. new site access/entrance off the L-1248 local road at the western boundary to facilitate construction and access, 1 no. temporary construction site compound (750m2), 4 no. peat / spoil deposition areas for storage of excess excavated peat materials, associated surface water management system, tree felling to facilitate site development, temporary works on sections of the public road network along the turbine delivery route (including hedge or tree cutting, relocation of powerlines / poles, lampposts, signage and local road widening) and all associated site works (an NIS and an EIAR have been submitted in respect of the application) at the Townlands of Leam, Ballybaun,, Harepark, Ardcorcoran, Grange Beg,, Knockadoobrusna, Ballytrasna, , Cashelfinoge & Greatmeadow.
One submission was lodged with the local authority on the proposed development.
The application was refused based on three conditions, the main issues being:
The development would set an inappropriate precedent for development of this nature in ‘less favoured’ areas and undermine the core principals of Roscommon Co Co Renewal Energy Strategy.
The development would adversely affect the use of a national road by traffic and would be contry to proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
It is considered that insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that all potential environmental impacts have been sufficiently identified and appropriately mitigated against, including but not limited to impact on protected species and designated sites.
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