Planners grant mast approval

An Bord Pleanála has given the green light for an 85-metre high meteorological mast in Kingscourt.

The planning authority made its determination having considered an appeal by Cavan farmer, Val Martin. He appealed a decision by Cavan County Council to grant permission to an energy company to retain and and complete the meteorological mast and associated works.

The application by Raragh Development Ltd was approved by the local authority in respect of Raragh Wind Farm in the townland of Corrinshigo, Kingscourt.

That original permission was extended in 2015.

The council planning office granted the application subject to five conditions. The conditions included the reinstatement of the site after 25 years, water considerations, and the overall look of the station.

The local authority approved the application at the end of March with Mr Martin lodging his appeal to An Bord Pleanála in April of this year.

Mr Martin's appeal was on a number of grounds including the validity of planning application and what he claimed was a lack of clarity regarding the applicant and the spacing of existing turbines. The appellant also asked planners consider that the wind farm is in the middle of 38 family homes and the impact noise and vibration from turbines, particularly at night, would have on those homes.

In her report Deirdre MacGabhann, the planning inspector, concluded that the proposed development "would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or the amenities of property in the vicinity and would be acceptable in terms of its visual impact".

An Bord Pleanála granted permission subject to four conditions.

They included that the development be carried out and in accordance with the plans lodged, the permission is for 25 years, details of the surface water drainage system are lodged with the planning authority before commencement and the mast is painted a neutral colour and maintained in good condition.