Ruling to allow Clare wind farm dismays groups

Community groups opposing proposed wind farms across the country will be dismayed following a Bord Pleanala ruling giving the go-ahead to a wind farm in Co Clare.

In its ruling to grant planning permission to a 300 ft high, 15turbine wind farm near the village of Connolly, the board has dismissed the strong recommendation by its own inspector to refuse planning permission.

It has also dismissed the provisions of the 1999 Clare County Development Plan in overturning the decision by Clare County Council to turn down the proposal.

Instead, the board, in giving D.P. Energy Ltd the go-ahead, has had regard to the objective of the National Development Plan in relation to the development of renewable energy, national strategy on sustainable development and Department of Environment guidelines for wind farms.

It is the aim of the Government to produce 12 per cent of the State's electricity from renewable energy by 2005.

However, the bid to increase the State's energy from wind has been frustrated by local protests over the impact wind farms have on the landscape.

It is the first time the appeals board has overturned a decision by Clare County Council in relation to a wind farm proposal.

On the previous four occasions it upheld the local authority's decision to refuse planning.

Clare County Council member Mr Tom Prendeville said yesterday: "This ruling has serious ramifications for across the country. The reduction of carbon emissions seems to be the overriding factor, and in dismissing its own planner's report the board has given carte blanche to developers to build wind farms anywhere."

The board inspector's report on the proposal concluded that the development "would seriously injure the visual amenities and natural beauty of the area and be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area".

The report added that the site in a remote, elevated and exposed landscape of amenity, tourism and recreational significance "would be contrary to the objectives of the planning authority to protect the overall character of this visually sensitive landscape".

However, the report was overruled by the board. It stated that 15 of the 26 wind turbines could be accommodated in the landscape.

The board stated that the proposal would not be unduly detrimental to the landscape, would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity and would not be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area.

The board's decision has provoked an angry reaction from the Kilmaley residents' action group, which opposed the proposal.

A spokesman said: "It seems that as residents and citizens of this beautiful country of ours we no longer have a voice in what is of concern to us."