Fears as windfarm plans may be appealed

PLANS to build a €300 million windfarm in Co Mayo are in doubt as fears grow that planning permission for the development will be appealed to Bord Pleanala.

If the windfarm is build on 12,000 acres of land near Bellacorrick, Co Mayo, it will be the biggest wind power unit in Europe.

There were more than 30 objections to Mayo County Council against the ambitious Bord na Mona and ESB development, which was granted planning permission last week.

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Dúchas, An Taisce and the North Western Regional Fisheries Board were among the objectors.

An Taisce said yesterday it will study the planning permission granted to the windfarm before deciding if it will appeal the decision.

“We had concerns about a section of bogland that we own in this area,” An Taisce spokesperson Ian Lumley said.

“Hopefully these have been resolved but we will have to look at it very closely.”

Mr Lumley added that An Taisce is concerned about drainage at the site and not the damage it might cause the visual environment.

North West Mayo Action Group spokesperson Chris Tallott said the windfarm’s planning permission had 43 conditions that will ease objector’s worries.

“This is an absolutely vital development for the North Mayo area and although we know An Bord Pleanála would only look at the case on its merits, the worry is always there that they won’t look on it favourably,” Mr Tallott said.