Wind farm plan to erect 200m high turbines to be lodged with An Bord Pleanala

Plans for a proposed 26-turbine wind farm on the Meath/Westmeath Border close to Ballivor are due to be lodged with An Bord Pleanala.

Bord na Móna Powergen Limited has advertised its intention to apply for a ten-year planning permission for the wind farm which would be operational for 30-years from the date of commissioning.

If approved it would see 26 turbines with a tip height of 200m built in the townlands of Clondalee More, Derryconor, Clonycavan, Robinstown, Coolronan, Doolystown, and Moyfeagher in Co Meath, as well as Lisclogher Great, Cockstown, Clonmorrill, Clonleame, Bracklin, Craddanstown, Killagh, Grange More and Riverdale in County Westmeath.

The plans include 26 turbines with hardstanding areas with a tip height of 200m and a hub height of 115m. The rotor diameter of the proposed turbines is 170m. Also included in the proposal are two permanent Meteorological Anemometry Masts with a height of 115m and associated hardstanding areas and the removal of the existing meteorological mast.

According to the planning notice, four temporary construction compounds with temporary site offices and staff facilities are proposed for the townlands of Bracklin and Grange More as well as five temporary security cabins at the main construction site entrances around the site in the townlands of Killagh, Grange More and Coolronan.

Two borrow pits are planned for the townland of Grange More and Craddanstown and all works associated with the opening, gravel, spoil extraction and decommissioning of the borrow pits.

A 110kv substation is proposed in the townland of Grange More including underground and electrical cabling connecting the turbines and masts to the proposed electrical substation.

The development also includes site access tracks of 28km and the provision/upgrade of existing/new pathways for amenity uses measuring 3.3km. Also part of the application are temporary accommodating works to the existing road infrastructure to facilitate delivery of abnormal loads at locations on the R156 and R161 in the townlands of Doolystown and Moyfeagher; accommodating works to widen existing site entrances off the R156 into Ballivor and Carranstown Bogs and the re-opening of entrances at Lisclogher and Bracklin Bogs for use as construction site entrances and to facilitate delivery and movement of turbine components and construction materials. The entrances would be used for maintenance and amenity access during the operational period.

Also included in the application are: the permanent vertical realignment of the R156 in the vicinity of the site entrance is proposed to achieve required sight lines. Permanent site entrances off a local road into Lisclogher and Bracklin Bogs are proposed to facilitate a crossing point for turbine components, construction materials and operation/amenity access; provision of amenity access and amenity pathways using existing entrances off the R156 and local roads in the townlands of Bracklin, Coolronan, Clondalee More and Craddanstown;three permanent amenity carparks in Ballivor Bog (50 spaces), Carranstown (15 spaces) and Bracklin Bog (15 spaces) and the provision of bicycle rack facilities at each location.

An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in respect of the proposed development and accompany the planning application.

Full details of the plans can be viewed in the offices of Meath County Council, Westmeath County Council and An Bord Pleanala for a seven week period from 14th April and may also be viewed online at www.ballivorwindfarmplanning.ie

Last year an Bord Pleanala gave the go-ahead for a nine-turbine wind farm in the neighbouring area, despite strong local opposition.

Bracklyn Windfarm Ltd, a subsidiary of the Galetech Energy Group, was granted permission for nine wind turbines on lands at Coolronan and Ballivor in Meath and Ballagh, Billistown, Ballinacor, and Bracklyn, in Westmeath.

The plans met huge opposition locally with over 150 residents attended local meetings organised by the Delvin Raharney Ballivor Wind Action Group.