Townlands of Knockroe, Cunlaghfadda Harefield Cloonbaul and Knockaunakill, County Mayo., Mayo
Townlands of Knockroe, Cunlaghfadda Harefield Cloonbaul and Knockaunakill, County Mayo.
We, Cunlaghfadda Green Energy Limited, intend to apply for a ten-year planning permission for development in the townlands of Knockroe, Cunlaghfadda, Harefield, Cloonbaul and Knockaunakill, County Mayo. The development will comprise the provision of a renewable energy development consisting of the following: i. 7 no. wind turbines with a top of foundation to blade tip height of 160 metres; a rotor blade diameter of 136 metres; and hub height of 92 metres, 1 no. meteorological mast with a height of 92 metres and subsequent decommissioning of the wind turbines and meteorological mast following a thirty five-year operational life from the date of full commissioning of the wind turbines; ii. Turbine and meteorological mast foundations and associated temporary and permanent hard-standing areas; iii. All associated underground electrical and communications cabling and subsequent decommissioning of all underground cabling within the site connecting the turbines to a proposed 110kV substation following a thirty five year operational life from the date of full commissioning of the wind turbines; iv. 1 no. temporary construction compound; v. Upgrade and widening of existing internal tracks and provision of new permanent and temporary site access tracks and all associated site drainage; vi. Upgrade and temporary road widening works along the L15053 and provision of 1 no. passing bay; vii. 1 no. new temporary site entrance off the L1505 in the townland of Knockroe to accommodate the delivery of abnormal loads and construction phase traffic; viii. 1 no. new permanent site entrance in the townlands of Cunlaghfadda and Cloonbaul; ix. 1 no. borrow pit; x. 10 no. peat and spoil management areas; xi. 2 no. temporary security cabins; xii. Tree felling and vegetation removal; xiii. Biodiversity enhancement areas; xiv. Site drainage; xv. Site fencing, gates and signage; and xvi. All related site works above and below ground and all ancillary development.
- Policy REP 1 of the Mayo County Development Plan 2022-2028 outlines Mayo County Council’s commitment to support Ireland’s commitment to facilitate the development of renewable energy resources, where; such development does not have a negative impact on the surrounding environment (including water quality), landscape, biodiversity or local amenities. The site of the proposed development is located within an exposed and open landscape, designated Policy Area 4 in Landscape Sensitivity Matrix, Mayo County Development Plan 2022-2028 Volume 1, with high to medium potential to create adverse impacts on the existing landscape character. In taking account of the exposed and open landscape of the receiving environment and as illustrated in the photomontages submitted with the application, and by reason of the overall height of the turbines, it is apparent that the proposed development will directly impact both significantly and negatively on this sensitive Policy Area 4 and on designated scenic route with a protected view as set out in Mayo County Development Plan 2022-2028 Landscape Appraisal. Therefore, to grant the proposed development would interfere with the character of the landscape, which it is necessary to preserve and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
- It is considered that the proposed development sited at this location would constitute a highly obtrusive development that would detract from the existing cultural heritage of the area, and would undermine the setting of Mayo Abbey Cemetery and Church ruins, a very important early Christian ecclesiastical site, would erode the local landscape and visual quality of the public open views in the vicinity and would adversely impact on the unique rural character of the immediate local area. The proposed wind turbines would therefore constitute excessively dominant features and a visually obtrusive form of development in this rural landscape and would seriously injure the landscape which it is necessary to preserve and injure the visual amenities of the area. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
- It is considered that the extent of technology required to attempt to address the potential for the proposed development to impact negatively on the residential amenity of 40 residential properties as a result of the potential for excessive shadow flicker, indicates that the proposed site location is unsuitable for a development of this nature and scale, due to the existing level of residential properties in the immediate area. The proposed development would therefore have the potential to seriously impact on the residential amenity of the area and depreciate the value of property in the area and is therefore contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Planning and Development Section Áras and Chontae, Castlebar, Co. Mayo www.mayo.ie | 0949064000.