Plans for wind farm in scenic area of West Cork turned down amid 'high level of local opposition'

Cork County Council has refused planning permission for Gourtloughra Wind Farm Ltd to construct eight wind turbines and associated equipment at Shehy Beg, which is just under 10km north-west of Dunmanway

Dozens of objections to the proposals were received from locals, citing numerous concerns, including the potential for destruction of ecology, habitat and species, and an adverse impact on biodiversity. File picture

Plans for a set of wind farms in a picturesque West Cork location have been turned down as the proposed development would “seriously detract from the views” in the area, the council has said.

Cork County Council has refused planning permission for Gourtloughra Wind Farm Ltd to construct eight wind turbines and associated equipment at Shehy Beg.

It comes after the planning bid received what council planners referred to as a “very high” number of submissions, all objecting to the development.

It also received a submission from Fáilte Ireland, which said the area on the Wild Atlantic Way was a “calling card” and acted as a device to “entice people to the west of Ireland”.

In its extensive application documents, Gourtloughra Wind Farm Ltd said it was looking to construct eight wind turbines across an area comprising 8.7 hectares.

The area, which is just under 10km north-west of Dunmanway, is currently used for sheep grazing and farmland.

It also said the proposals would provide clean energy while minimising environmental impacts. Furthermore, it was argued it was contributing to renewable energy targets which will continue to drive down the overall cost of energy.

“The project will create up to 154 jobs during the construction phase and will encourage continued investment in the renewable industry in Ireland,” the applicant said.

However, dozens of objections to the proposals were received from locals, citing numerous concerns.

This included the potential for destruction of ecology, habitat and species, and an adverse impact on biodiversity.

It was also claimed the height of the turbines — with an overall ground to blade tip height of 175m — were “colossal” and would “dominate and destroy the area”.

Furthermore, submissions were made that “West Cork has accommodated too many windfarms and enough is enough”.

In its report appraising the application, a Cork County Council planner said any development that promotes green renewable energy should be carefully considered given the acceleration of climate change.

However, the planner noted the proposed windfarm had generated a “high level of local opposition” and ecological concerns had been raised “as a red flag”.

“The removal of 10 hectares of high-value habitat including the peatland habitat is not acceptable on a biodiversity basis and as a matter of principle,” the planner said.

“As a secondary ground, but not necessarily less important to the local community, is the visual impact, in particular the resultant adverse impact from Cousane Gap and from the R-585 Regional Road and Scenic Route.

“Whether Cousane Gap is completely sacrosanct to preclude all windfarm development, for which there is particularly strong local opposition, could ultimately be a matter for further consideration, including for any decision-makers in the event of appeal but given the ecological concerns and ‘red flag’ that may not necessarily materialise.” 

Agreeing with its planner, Cork County Council refused permission for the application, citing biodiversity concerns and added it would "would seriously detract from the visual quality of the landscape".