Anger as Kilkenny communities ‘have to defend themselves against huge organisations’

Kilkenny County Council have recommended that An Coimisiún Pleanála refuse planning permission for the development of a large wind farm and associated infrastructure in South Kilkenny.

A special meeting in relation to the planning application was held in County Hall last week where members of the planning department of Kilkenny County Council outlined their rationale behind their decision to recommend the project’s refusal.

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Ballyfasy Wind Farm is a large-scale renewable energy development that is proposed to be located in the townlands of Bishopsmountain, Ballinlammy, Ballyfasy Upper, Ballynoony East, Ballymartin, Ballyquin, Ballywairy, Darbystown, and Knockbrack in County Kilkenny.

The project is to comprise of 10 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of between 57 MW and 72 MW, along with an on-site 110kV electrical substation and associated infrastructure.

Each turbine would have a blade tip height of between 170 and 180 metres, depending on the final model selected.

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The project was deemed a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) because it exceeds the statutory threshold for wind farms set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000.

As the proposed development meets this threshold, it therefore must be decided directly by An Coimisiún Pleanála rather than by the local authority.

Despite this, the local authority does have a significant role in the planning process.

It can prepare its own report in relation to the application and recommend whether An Coimisiún Pleanála grant or refuse planning permission.

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Also submitted with this report will be the views and opinions of the elected members of Kilkenny County Council.

Both the local authority’s recommendation and the comments from councillors will be reviewed before An Coimisún Pleanála makes their final decision.

When outlining their rationale behind the decision to recommend the refusal of planning permission, council planner Niall Sheehan highlighted a number of perceived issues that were identified upon reviewing the relevant planning documentation.

An aerial map was produced showing nearby residential and commercial receptors and concern was raised about the number of ressidences that would likely be impacted by shadow flicker from the rotating turbine blades.

Further information was also provided on potential noise impact to the surrounding area, and reference was made to existing wind energy infrastructure in the area.

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One of the most significant concerns cited was ‘landscape visual impact’.

The potential impact of the turbines to relevant viewpoints in the area were assessed.

It was noted that there would be ‘significant visibility’ (of turbine infrastructure) within a five kilometre area of the development site.

It was posited that the visual impact of the turbines would likely be more than was suggested in the submitted visual landscape documentation with the council further stating that the application contained ‘insufficient information’.

Following the council’s presentation, Cllr Tomás Breathnach proposed that the elected members also propose the rejection of the wind farm ‘in its totality’.

He also cited the existing ‘concentration of wind turbines in south east Kilkenny’ and criticised the outdated nature of existing wind energy guidelines.

His proposal was seconded by Cllr Pat Dunphy, who stated that the visual impact of the project would be ‘a huge thing’.

Cllr Jenny Catt Slattery stated that the turbines would ‘dominate the whole skyline down there’ and stated that wind energy infrastructure is important but must be developed in a way that is ‘fair and proportionate’.

Cllr Ger Frisby stated that it is important that the local authority and elected members are listened to ‘at a higher level’ and stated that it is unfair that local communities ‘have to defend themselves against huge organisations’.

Cllr Fidelis Doherty was also in agreement with the recommendation, and their were no dissenting voices from other councillors in other districts, with many adding their own concerns to the record.

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In a planning statement submitted with Manogate Ltd’s application, it is stated that the project ‘will contribute significantly to Ireland’s transition away from imported fossil fuels’.

The statement added that the project is compliant with ‘the relevant corresponding provisions of Kilkenny County Development Plan 2014’.

It is stated that this plan is “the most relevant county development plan to consider when looking at the principle of the proposed project.”

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The document describes the Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021-2027 as “effectively inconsistent with national and EU energy policy” as “there have been significant policy changes at international and national level in relation to climate change and renewable energy which need to be considered when assessing the proposed project.”

The final decision in relation to Ballyfasy Wind Farm will rest with An Coimisiún Pleanála and the case is due to be decided by July of this year.

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