Planning permission refused for 12-turbine wind farm in Clare

The wind farm would have been located northwest of Limerick city, at Ballycar, Co Clare

Adare-based firm Ballycar Green Energy had sought the planning permission, which comprised 12 turbines with a tip height of 158m. File picture

Planning permission for a major wind farm in Clare has been refused, after being opposed by the likes of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and Shannon Airport.

An Coimisiún Pleánála has rejected the development of the 12-turbine wind farm on a 140-hectare site, which would have been located northwest of Limerick city, at Ballycar, Co Clare.

Adare-based firm Ballycar Green Energy had sought the planning permission, which comprised 12 turbines with a tip height of 158m.

The planning authority said it was not satisfied that the development would not endanger the safety of aircraft or interfere with the navigation of planes.

Over 70 submissions were made regarding the development, including from the IAA, Shannon Airport and AirNav Ireland.

The aviation bodies expressed concerns that the wind farm could have an impact on the radar station near Shannon Airport, located at Woodcock Hill in Cratloe — a station that a lot of transatlantic flights depend on.

As it refused planning, An Coimisiún Pleánála noted it was not satisfied that mitigation measures had been submitted by the Limerick company to remove “all levels of aviation-related risk”.

In January, an oral hearing held by An Coimisiún Pleánála heard conflicting evidence on the impact the development would have on air traffic management.

In his opening remarks at the hearing, Esmonde Keane SC, representing the Adare-based company, said the proposed wind farm is “crucially important” to achieve Ireland’s climate targets.

Mr Keane had said his client was of the view that there are “viable solutions” to address the concerns raised by the aviation agencies.

A number of mitigation options were set out by the company, which was argued would “reassure” AirNav there would be “minimal or no operational risks” to its radar operations.

Last year, AirNav, the commercial semi-State agency which keeps Irish skies safe, objected to the plans.

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AirNav’s surveillance manager Charlie O’Loughlin had told the board of appeals that the development would result in a reduction in the safety levels in the Shannon to Dublin air traffic control centres.

Safety compliance and environment manager at Shannon Airport, Paul Hennessy, had told the planning commission that no mitigation measures could prevent impacts on the Woodcock Hill radar.

Meanwhile, Ballycar Green Energy had noted it would demonstrate all safety and operational requirements would be adhered to and provide technical information to further confirm and support the development to An Coimisiún Pleanála and AirNav Ireland.

A spokesperson for the company had said the development would “play a central role in Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon economy by 2050”.