An Bord Pleanála (ABP) has upheld a decision by Donegal County Council to refuse planning permission for eight wind turbines near Glenties.
Cuilfeach Teoranta had appealed the council’s finding made in November 2021 to reject plans for the proposed development in the townlands of Graffy, Meenamanragh and Dalraghan More. There were 37 objections to the company’s project.
The proposed development included access tracks and hardstands, underground cable connections and peat recovery areas as well as a temporary construction compound in Meenagrubby.
Among the reasons for ABP’s refusal was that the proposed development was located on a site which lies within an area designated for ‘Especially High Scenic Amenity.’ Within these areas, only developments assessed to be of strategic importance or developments that are provided for by policy elsewhere in the plan shall be considered. They also found the development would ‘result in a considerable and unacceptable adverse visual impact’ and would ‘constitute a highly obtrusive development’.
The presence of a pair of Merlin, confirmed to be breeding in the area, was also taken into consideration by ABP. They said they were not satisfied that the proposed development would not have ‘a significant adverse impact’ on the birds.
