This article is from page 17 of the 2007-06-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
A CORK-BASED firm has with- drawn its planning application for a €10 million wind farm in west Clare, it emerged yesterday.
Earlier this year DP Energy Ltd overcame concerns by Clare County Council to secure planning permis- sion for the eight wind farm projects in the county.
However, a question mark was thrown over the six-turbine develop- ment after the Department of the En- vironment lodged an appeal against the decision to An Bord Pleanala.
In its appeal the Department of the Environment stated that the compa- ny did not include a monitoring pro- eramme and mitigation measures for the Hen Harrier.
The Department of the Environ- ment stated, ““We consider that it 1s inappropriate to develop mitigation
measures after a decision is made to grant permission. There is known hen harrier activity in lands adjacent to the wind farm extension.
“The department does not object in principle to the concept of further wind farm development in this area and recognises the importance of wind farm technologies in meeting our environmental energy commit- rato 01 acea
DP Energy Ltd also appealed the council’s decision because a condi- tion of planning 1s a limit of six years on the operational life of the six tur- ley baLehy
‘Unfortunately, it is not feasible to fund the construction of a wind farm where such a short life-time has been stipulated.”
A third party, local man Noel Mc- Guane of Furoor, Kilmaley also ap- pealed the decision. The application’s withdrawal invalidates all appeals.