An Bord Pleanála has decided that Ireland's largest windfarm be reduced from 210 to 180 turbines.
The removal of 30 turbines is being insisted on by the planning appeals board to ensure minimum separation distances of at least 1,000 metres from any dwellings on a 12,377 acre site owned by Bord na Móna at Bellacorick, Co Mayo.
There has been a generally favourable local reaction over the past few days to An Bord Pleanála's decision to reject an appeal against the decision by Mayo County Council last summer to grant planning permission for the €300 million project.
The peat-powered electricity generation plant at Bellacorick is due to cease production in the next 18 months and the windfarm project, which promises 100 construction jobs, is seen as an ideal replacement industry.
Planning permission has now been granted by An Board Pleanála subject to 15 conditions. These include a stipulation that prior to the start of the windfarm's construction, an independent road and bridge study would be undertaken on the N59 route, the main haulage artery for the project.
One observer, Mr Gerard Gallagher, raised concerns about the possibility of a peat slide similar to the one which occurred at Derrybrien, Co Galway. However, in his lengthy report, the planning inspector, Mr Kevin Moore, said the project was located in a natural topographical bowl and it was his submission that there was no potential for any peat slide.