Kerry planners overturn council on windfarm

A DECISION by Kerry County Council to refuse planning permission for two wind turbines near Asdee has been overturned by An Bord Pleanala.

The windfarm is to be situated at Curraderrig, Asdee on a site approximately seven kilometers north east of Ballybunion and west of Ballylongford.

The application is for the construction of two generators, with a hub height of 64 metres and of rotor diameter 70.5 metres, as well as a control building and ancillary works.

In December 2006, Kerry County Council turned down permission for the turbines saying they would be obtrusive on the landscape and would lessen the value of nearby homes.

However the decision was appealed by the applicant, JP McElligott, who argued that the planned turbines were just 2.5km from an existing windfarm at Beale and that they would not be located in an area with prime or special amenity value nor would they be located near any "views or prospects".

Planning inspector Aisling Cunnane recommended that the planning board grant permission for the turbines.

She maintained they would not have a significant adverse impact on the landscape and they would not adversely impact on flora and fauna.

At a meeting on 21 September last the board decided to grant permission in accordance with the inspector's recommendation, subject to certain conditions.

These include the structures being removed after 20 years unless further permission is granted, that noise levels be minimised and that the colour scheme to be used would be agreed with the council

The Kingdom