LANDSLIDE AND POLLUTION RISKS BLOCK PLANS FOR OUGHTERARD WINDFARM

Date Published: 10-Jun-2009

The risk of peat failure, landslide and pollution have blocked plans to construct a windfarm in Oughterard.Permission to build the windfarm, which was originally given the go-ahead by Galway County Council, has now been refused by An Bord Pleanala. Last September Western Power limited was given the go-ahead for the electricity generating windfarm with 8 turbines at Lettercraffoe in Oughterard.An Taisce appealed this decision, arguing that the windfarm would contravene European and national environmental policy.The department of the environment also appealed the decision stating its concerns about the potential for negative effects on nearby rivers and lakes.An Bord Pleanala has now refused permission for the proposed windfarm stating that the development would be situated in an area of high landscape value and specail landscape sensitivity.