An Bord Pleanala has denied planning permission for the construction of a 463-hectare wind farm in West Waterford.
The Dyrick Hill Wind Farm had been the subject of controversy since plans were first submitted over two years ago for the 12-turbine development.
Planners and inspectors from An Bord Pleanala held four meetings this year to discuss the project.
In their refusal, the planning authority noted that the proposed development is in an identified exclusion zone for wind energy and that it would materially controvene the local authority's policy objectives.
It was ruled that the proposal would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
The proposed development would also result in the loss of 3.5 hectares of dry heath habitat - resulting in a significant loss of biodiversity.
Waterford City and County Council had recommended that planning permission for the wind farm in the Knockmealdown Mountains should be refused, at a special meeting of Dungarvan and Lismore District councillors held in July of last year.
At the time, all councillors supported a rejection of the proposal from the local authority - citing that the County Development Plan 2022-2028 was adopted to protect areas such as those in question.
Given that the application is an SID (Strategic Infrastructure Development), the decision on whether or not to grant planning permission went to An Bord Pleanala, as opposed to Waterford City and County Council.
The application for the Strategic Infrastructure Development was submitted on June 6th 2022 by Sligo-based Jennings O’Donovan and Partners Limited Consulting Engineers on behalf of Dyrick Hill Wind Farm Limited.
The company had sought to construct up to 12 wind turbines and related works in the townlands of Dyrick, Ballynaguilkee Upper, Broemountain and Lisleaghmountain, at the foot of the Knockmealdowns.
It had been envisioned that the 12-turbine wind farm would generate up to 74.4 megawatts of electricity to power over 43,000 homes.
The site of the proposed wind farm extended to around 463 hectares, with 112 Eircodes within two kilometres of the proposed turbines.
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