Planning refused for grid connection works linked to Meenbog Wind Farm

Planning permission has been refused for works linked to the Meenbog Wind Farm near Ballybofey.

Mid Cork Electrical Ltd has been denied permission to construct three new culverts to replace existing culverts along the N15 at Tawnawully Mountain.

The culverts were designed to connect the Meenbog Wind Farm to the national grid, but the local authority has ruled that the works cannot go ahead. 

The Council said in its decision: “Having regard to the rationale for the proposed works that is to facilitate a grid connection from Meenbog Wind Farm and to the current unauthorised nature of this large development that is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, the Planning Authority considers that to permit the proposed development would be premature and contrary to proper and sustainable planning.

An appeal may be lodged by the company to An Bord Pleanála.

In 2020, a major peat slide occurred at the Meenbog Wind Farm, causing thousands of tonnes of peat and conifers to career down into the Mournebeg river and the Shruhangarve burn

In April, a High Court order was made by Mr Justice David Holland prohibiting further development at the Meenbog Wind Farm.

Mr Justice Holland held that the unauthorised development at the site consists of the entire wind farm and not each of or all of 25 material deviations.

The Judge found that he has jurisdiction to restrain any further works on the site – at least until the planning status is regularised.

Court documents, seen by Donegal Live, estimate that “about 86,240m3 of peat slid – of which about 65,740m3 left the 'scar areas' and entered the Shruhangarve Stream via which it flowed into the Mourne Beg River31 and on to nearby European Sites, including in Northern Ireland, causing significant environmental damage”.

That November 2020 slide was preceded by two other slides in June 2020.

Parties agreed that Planree’s works caused, or at least contributed to the occurrence of, the November 2020 slide.

Planree said that they intended to complete the permitted development while the substitute consent application was bring processed and argued that they should be allowed to build out the remaining, authorised, elements and operate it pending the An Bord Pleanála decision on the substitute consent.

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The main remaining element of the works is the installation of the turbines and rotors, which are in storage near Killybegs.