The developer behind the controversial Meenbog Wind Farm in east Donegal is seeking more time to make changes to its planning application.
Planree Ltd is applying to An Bord Pleanala (ABP) for leave to apply for substitute consent, a form of retention permission under Irish planning law, for 25 deviations from the permitted development.
The site near Ballybofey was subject to a major landslide in November 2020.
Thousands of cubic metres of peat and debris entered into a stream and on to the Mournebeg River from the site of the wind farm on the Donegal-Tyrone border.
The company was granted leave in October by ABP, who said at the time that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and an ‘appropriate assessment’ were required. The planning appeals board said ‘exceptional circumstances do exist’ on the site and noted the applicant is making ‘reasonable efforts’ to regularise the planning status of the development.
An ABP inspector’s report added there was no assertion that the subject deviations caused the peat slide in 2020.
MKO Consultants, acting on behalf of the applicant, said that 90 per cent of the engineering works – including access roads, electricity substation, turbine hardstands and borrow pit areas – are already ‘substantially complete’.
Last May, High Court Proceedings were taken by Donegal County Council, alleging that unauthorised works have been carried out at the site with the local authority seeking to restrain Planree Limited and Mid Cork Electrical Limited from finishing the ‘largely complete’ project.
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