Waterford City and County Council have recommended that planning permission for a wind farm in the Knockmealdown Mountains should be refused.
A special meeting of Dungarvan and Lismore District councillors was held this afternoon, allowing for a discussion centred around the Dyrick Hill Strategic Infrastructure Development.
Given that the application is an SID, the decision on whether or not to grant planning permission lies with An Bord Pleanala, as opposed to Waterford City and County Council.
Waterford City and County Council can make a recommendation by virtue of a report from their Planning Department and Chief Executive, Mr. Michael Walsh - which is then endorsed by councillors.
In his report, Mr. Walsh outlined that the view of the Council is that the project should not be allowed to proceed.
The application for the Strategic Infrastructure Development was submitted on June 6th last by Sligo-based Jennings O’Donovan and Partners Limited Consulting Engineers on behalf of Dyrick Hill Wind Farm Limited.
The company are seeking 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’s envisioned that the 12-turbine wind farm will generate up to 74.4 MW of electricity to power over 43,000 homes.
The site of the proposed wind farm extends to around 463 hectares, and the company reports there are 112 Eircodes within two kilometres of the proposed turbines, while a separation distance of 740 metres has been achieved from all occupied dwellings, with the exception of one, which is in the ownership of a financially involved third party.
Waterford Council - reasons for rejection
The subject site is located in an area which is designed at “Most Sensitive”. As such, it has been determined by the planning authority that this area is characterised by very distinctive
features with a very low capacity to absorb new development without significant alterations of existing character over an extended area.
It is the policy of the planning authority that, to be considered for permission, development in or in the environs of these areas must be shown not to impinge in any significant way upon its character, integrity or uniformity when viewed from the surroundings.
"Particular attention should be given to the preservation of the character and distinctiveness of these areas as viewed from scenic routes and the environs of archaeological and historic sites."
The planning authority has very serious concerns regarding the carrying capacity and safety of road network serving the proposed development and the adequacy of the local road
network to accommodation heavy construction traffic associated with the proposed development.
Waterford Council have also made 17 conditional recommendations in the event that the development does go ahead, not withstanding the local authority's initial principal recommendations. This included giving the developer 10 years to develop the turbines as opposed to 15, providing 9 turbines as opposed to 12, and also requesting that the developer would provide funds to develop the road network that would ultimately service the site.
These points are part of various observations made by the local authority, all of which can be found on the Waterford Council website.
Councillors contributions
As councillors addressed the meeting, Cllr. Declan Doocey (Fine Gael) said that the potential for the development to go ahead was a matter of "serious concern" and that the County Development Plan 2022-2028 was adopted to protect areas such as those in question.
His sentiments were echoed by party colleague, Cllr. Damien Geoghegan (Fine Gael) who said that the County Development Plan should be considered as "sacrosanct". Cllr. Geoghegan provided a statement representing councillors which stated their complete support and endorsement of the Chief Executive's report, as well as their wish to uphold the principles which are outlined in the County Development Plan.
All councillors supported this endorsement, which will now be attached to Waterford Council's submissions to An Bord Pleanala.
Cllr. Conor McGuinness (Sinn Fein) noted the "immense amount of documentation" regarding the wind farm development, and stated his belief that it would be a "deficit of democracy" should ABP give the green light to the proposal in any form.
Cllr. Thomas Phelan (Labour) said the request of 15 years to carry out the development "smacks of speculation" and says it is crucial that Waterford Council stands tall in the face of the first serious test of the County Development Plan.
According to Cllr. Seamus O'Donnell (Independent), An Bord Pleanala will go ahead with their plans regardless of Waterford Council's recommendations.
"It doesn't matter what we think, it will happen anyway - mark my words", said Cllr. O'Donnell.
These views were shared by Fianna Fail Councillor Tom Cronin, who warned that An Bord Pleanala "are capable of doing anything."
Cllr. John Pratt (Labour) expressed his annoyance with the application, adding that it is "beggars belief that it has even been allowed to get this far."
An Bord Pleanala have "again shown a complete lack of respect for rural Ireland", said Cllr. Mairead Tobin (Fianna Fail) while District Cathaoirleach Cllr. Pat Nugent (Fine Gael) concluded it was a no-go-area and the County Development Plan must be upheld.
Next steps
The public consultation period on the farm is open until 5.30pm on August 2nd, and all submissions can be made for an attached fee of €50.
A decision is expected on the application from An Bord Pleanala by December 5th 2023.
The Chief Executive's report will soon be published by Waterford City and County Council on their website - whilst all information relating to the development can be found here: https://www.dyrickhillwindfarm.ie/
