The High Court judge has allowed An Bord Pleanála permission to appeal his decision to quash a planning permission granted to a subsidiary of Bord na Móna to build a windfarm to the Court of Appeal. The application relates to a 24-turbine windfarm, which if constructed to its maximum dimensions, would be the joint tallest structures in Ireland, with a tip height of 185m.
In his judgement earlier this year Mr Justice Richard Humphreys upheld a challenge brought by environmentalist Peter Sweetman against the proposal to build a windfarm at Mountdillon Peat Production Bog, near Lanesborough, in Co Longford. The judge quashed the permission on grounds including that the application to build the windfarm did not contain the level of detail required to allow the planning authority grant permission.
Mr Sweetman's action is against An Bord Pleanála, Ireland and the Attorney General. The developer of the proposed windfarm, Bord na Móna Powergen Limited, is a notice party to the proceedings. Arising out of the judgement the board and the developer sought permission from the judge to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal.
In a ruling on Tuesday the judge said he was prepared to allow an appeal of his decision on the basis that "the practical operation of the planning system would be enhanced by the clarification of certain questions, albeit not those formulated by the board."
The judge said that board, in seeking leave to appeal the decision had stated that the judgement has extremely wide-ranging implications.
That concern, he said, was "overblown." "I do not think that the implications of the judgement are as theatrical as suggested." Likewise claims by the developer in its application to have the matter referred to the COA "slightly overcooks" the implications of the decision, he added. The judge added that the developer had also suggested that the court could consider referring questions arising out of the judgement it would deem appropriate to the COA.
This was the approach that the court intended to take, the judge said, adding that perhaps the issues raised in the case might benefit from "a leapfrog" appeal direct to the Supreme Court. The points of exceptional public importance to be referred to the COA relate to Irish domestic law, he said. The judge added that before the order granting leave to appeal is perfected, he was also giving Mr Sweetman an opportunity to consider if he wishes to cross appeal any aspect of his decision.
