An Bord Pleanála has consented before the High Court to an order quashing its permission for construction of a thermoplastic compounds production facility in Skibbereen, Co Cork.

The way has been cleared for the development of a wind farm after the Court of Appeal rejected a challenge to planning permission centring on concerns for a “critically endangered” freshwater pearl mussel.

An environmental group has secured leave to appeal against the rejection of its challenge to a grant of permission for a wind farm in Co Laois.