Plans for the first wind farm granted planning permission in Co Clare have been blocked after An Bord Pleanala yesterday refused planning permission, overruling a decision by Clare County Council.
Plans for the wind farm were lodged in 1998. Last November the council granted planning to National Windpower Ltd to construct the £7 million wind farm on a former landfill site on the outskirts of the north Clare town of Ennistymon.
The board's decision upholds an appeal lodged by the sole objector, local farmer, Mr Peadar Garrahy of Furglan, Lahinch.
Mr Garrahy lodged his appeal because of fears over the possible contamination from BSE to the water course in the area as a result of construction works.
Refusing permission, the board stated that the plan would seriously injure the amenities and depreciate the value of houses in the area, due to visual intrusion and noise arising from the development.
Earlier this week, National Windpower was granted planning permission by Limerick County Council for an eight-turbine wind farm in west Limerick - the company has also applied for a licence to investigate the feasibility of constructing a wind farm south of the Shannon estuary.
Currently, there are three wind farms in the mid-west that have obtained planning permission, two in Limerick and one in Clare.
