€70m wind farm gets go-ahead from council

KERRY County Council yesterday gave the all-clear for the biggest-ever wind farm in the county, to be developed at a cost of €70m.

Planning permission for the development has been granted to ESB subsidiary Hibernian Wind Power Ltd, but the number of turbines has been reduced from 28 to 24. A site has been obtained in an elevated area at Grousemount, Kilgarvan, and the turbines will be up to 70 metres high with blades of 40 metres.

An Taisce objected to the planning application, expressing concern about the impact of such a large wind farm on the mountainous area and the decision may yet be appealed to An Bord Pleanála. A council spokesperson said that Grousement was an area “open to consideration” for wind farms.