Concerns for the protected raptor, the Hen Harrier and the protected butterfly, Marsh Fritillary have helped put paid to contentious plans for a five turbine 492 ft high wind-farm close to the home of the Willie Clancy Summer School, Miltown Malbay in west Clare.
This follows Clare County Council refusing planning permission to the Swiss-owned Illaunbaun Wind Farm Limited which is seeking a 10-year planning permission for the renewable energy development.
More than 200 objections were lodged against the plan by Illaunbaun Wind Farm Limited which is a subsidiary of the Swiss based international renewable energy developer, JC Mont-Fort Holding SA that has developed projects in eight countries and currently has a portfolio exceeding 5GW of renewable electricity generation capacity.
The firm’s plans for west Clare concerning a large site 4.2 km northeast of Milltown Malbay, 2.9 km from the Clare coast and 5.2 km southeast of Lahinch across five townlands of Tooreen, Slievenalicka, Illaunbaun, Lackamore and Drumbaun.
In its refusal, the council has refused planning permission on eight separate grounds including concerns for the Hen Harrier bird and the Marsh Fritillary butterfly.
The Council points out that the Hen Harrier is a protected raptor and in its refusal had regard to the close proximity of the site to known breeding pairs of Hen Harrier, the potential habitat disturbance arising from the proposed development and the declining population of this bird species in the area.
The council stated that on the basis of the available information, it cannot be concluded that the proposed development would not result in no significant environmental effects with specific reference to the Hen Harrier.
The council also point out that Marsh Fritillary is the only Irish butterfly species listed under Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive, and on the basis of the available information, the Marsh Fritillary could be present within the site.
The Marsh Fritillary is dependent on the plant, devil’s-bit scabious which was recorded on the proposal site and on the basis of the available information, the Council state that the proposed development would have direct impacts on its host species, and that the mitigation measures as proposed do not ensure the long-term protection or viability of the host plant species and therefore represents a significant biodiversity loss to the county.
The Council also refused planning permission as the wind-farm would constitute a prominent feature on the landscape from both local and long-range viewpoints, would give rise to an excessive proliferation of wind turbines at this rural location and would have adverse impacts on the visual amenities of the area.
The Council also found that the proposed development would seriously injure the amenities of residential properties in the vicinity by reason of noise and disturbance. The Council state that “furthermore, it is considered that the proposed turbines would be visually overbearing on existing properties and thus depreciate the value of property in the vicinity”.
The planning authority also found that on the basis of the available information, and in the absence of sufficient evidence to the contrary, the proposed development poses a significant risk of adverse impacts on the receiving environment and human health as a result of peat landslide.
A planning statement lodged with the application stated that the proposal “is justified by a clear and compelling national, regional, and local need”.
The planning report stated that “it supports legally binding climate action, renewable electricity generation, and energy security. It aligns with Project Ireland 2040, spatial planning and infrastructure policy, and contributes to Ireland’s commitments under both national legislation and EU directives. The proposed development forms part of a needed and timely transition to a sustainable and climate-resilient energy system”.
The report stated that the layout of the proposed development “has been carefully designed to minimise potential environmental impacts whilst optimising the energy generation from the wind resources available at the site”.
