The Finn Valley Wind Action Group has welcome An Bord Pleanala’s decision to refuse permission for 49 wind turbine wind farm in the area, and all associated works.
Welcoming the decision a spokesperson for the group said that this long awaited decision was a victory for common sense and came as a great relief to local residents.
The application which has been with An Bord Pleanala since early February 2015 was vehemently opposed by the local community who hired Planning Consultant Peter Crossan to represent them with An Bord Pleanala.
The group also wish to thank Mr. Crossan and his team for the work carried out on their behalf and to acknowledge the value of the expert in the field while assessing this vast and complex application of 49 turbines over 40 sq. km.
The range of associated impacts over such a vast area and and the interconnectivity of this range of impacts in this environment clearly were established in the group’s observation to The Bord as indicating the total unsuitability for a development on this scale and of this nature in this location.
Among the experts involved preparing Finn Valley Wind Action Group’s response were internationally renowned experts of in the field of acoustics, hydro geology, ornithology, landscape assessment, legal representation and advice was retained throughout.
“We are happy that An Bord Pleanala’s decision and the reasons for the refusal recognise the constraints of this environment for wind farm development and it is noted that The Bord have remarked once again on the current position of the Donegal County Development Plan which zones this area like 95% of the County as deemed open for consideration for wind farm developments in the County, notwithstanding the environmental and visual constraints.
“This now needs to be addressed.
“The Community of Finn Valley are to be congratulated on having come together and retained their unity in what was along and difficult period in opposing this application.
We wish to make it clear to the applicants in this case and any others who may consider making a similar application in our area that any future applications here will also be vigorously opposed.
“We a value our landscape and the integrity of our community. The Finn Valley is not open to speculators from venture funds now or in the future,” said a spokesman.
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