Planning granted for extension to permitted East Donegal windfarm
Lettergull Windfarm Ltd sees application for extra 135-metre wind turbine for already permitted plans approved
Planning permission has been granted by Donegal County Council for the extension of a permitted East Donegal windfarm.
Permission was successfully sought by Lettergull Windfarm Ltd to include an extra wind turbine along with associated infrastructure, underground electrical cabling, site entrances and access roads within an already permitted application.
Lettergull Windfarm Ltd is an associated company of Regen Power Ltd, who are in turn, “backed by Impax Asset Management, described as a “leading investment firm dedicated to facilitating the transition to a sustainable economy.”
The proposed site for the windfarm is situated approximately 5km from St Johnston and Raphoe and covers an area of approximately 10 hectares.
In July 2020, Lettergull Windfarm Ltd was granted planning permission on an appeal, after an initial refusal to be awarded planning permission, for a 10-year planning permission for a windfarm with a 30-year operational life and all associated works.
The granted development would consist of six wind turbines with an overall blade tip height of up to 135 metres, and one anemometry mast up to a height of 100 metres, along with all associated site works.
Donegal County Council has now conditionally granted an application for the development on lands within and adjoining the permitted Lettergull Windfarm, which would comprise the provision of renewable energy development consisting of one wind turbine with an overall blade tip height of 135 metres, a rotor diameter of 115 metres, and a hub height of 77.5 metres.
A planning report prepared by MKO Planning and Environmental Consultants and submitted prior to the decision, concluded: “The application for the proposed project recognises the parallel interests of tackling climate change while aiming to safeguard residential amenity and to protect species and habitats.
“Consideration of this fact has been central to the design of the proposed project and in the preparation of the EIAR, NIS, and mitigation measures proposed. The EIAR demonstrates that, if consented, the Proposed Project will be capable of being constructed, operated and decommissioned without giving rise to any significant impacts on the environment generally.
“Ultimately, it is considered that this Proposed Project is in accordance with the provisions of proper planning and sustainable development and due to the suitability of the site and the urgent need for renewable energy development of this scale.
“National climate and renewable energy objectives, and the decarbonisation of Irish society as a whole is dependent on the rapid expansion of wind energy in Ireland. The scale of the challenge Ireland faces in decarbonising its economy is enormous, but the climate change implications of not doing so are even greater.
“The proposed project will support the decarbonisation of the electricity sector and the decarbonisation of other sectors, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels for energy generation and enhancing Ireland’s energy security.”
Donegal County Council granted permission with 20 conditions, including that the applicant should contribute a payment of €129,000 in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area of the Planning Authority that is already provided or is intended to be provided by the Authority.
A further condition was imposed that the developer should provide adequate security to the Planning Authority, prior to the commencement of the development, for potential damage to the road and bridge network as a result of permitted development, in the sum of €30,000, either paid by a cash deposit, or by a bond of a banking or insurance company acceptable to the Authority.
Furthermore, it was imposed that the developer should retain the services of a suitably qualified and experienced bird specialist to undertake appropriate annual bird surveys at the site, and an Ecological Clerk of Works to undertake pre-construction surveys at the various project elements, including river crossings, immediately prior to commencing work in order to check for the presence of protected species in the vicinity.
The developer was further advised of the need to acquire abnormal load permits to transport wind turbine sections to the site.