Early plans for county Cork windfarm revealed

A pre-application consultation has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála on the project for the construction of up to 24 wind turbines, 110kV on-site substation and associated connection to the national grid in Ballinagree, Cork.

Coillte CGA and Brookfield Renewable Ireland Limited (BRIL) are behind the project.

A spokesperson for Coillte said that despite the unprecedented times, both they and BRIL are endeavouring to progress development of renewable energy projects, and have been engaging with those neighbouring the proposed development since mid-2019.

“Our aim is to develop renewable energy projects responsibly in a way that will bring benefit to local communities, while meeting our renewable energy targets nationally,” the spokesperson said.

“Our process allows the proposed wind farm design to progress through various iterations, while incorporating feedback from the stakeholder engagement process. We are confident that this represents a best-in-class approach to community engagement and wind farm design.” 

The purpose of the pre-application consultation with An Bord Pleanála is to decide if the development could be seen as a Strategic Infrastructural Development. If it is classed as an SID, similar to a SHD, the application would go straight to An Bord Pleanála.

The project is targeting a planning submission date of December 2020.

“In these unprecedented times, where face to face consultation is severely restricted due to the Covid-19 emergency, the project team are endeavouring to seek a suitable method of communicating with the local community in order to make sure information is fully accessible when it becomes available within the project design process,” the Coillte spokesperson said.

The case is due to be decided by An Bord Pleanala by July 21.