An Bord Pleanála Inspector’s Report Development: Wind farm of 112 no. turbines (370MW output) at Oweninny, Bellacorick, Co. Mayo. Application under Section 37E of Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) Planning Authority: Mayo County Council Applicant: Oweninny Power Limited Type of Application: Strategic Infrastructure Development Submissions & observations: Yes Prescribed Bodies: 5 Observers: 18 Dates of site inspection: 3rd March 2014, 7th March 2014,10th 11th March 2014 and 7th April Dates of Oral Hearing: 8th to 11th, 15th to 17th and 23rd April 2014 Inspector: Dolores McCague 16.PA0029 An Bord Pleanala Page 1 of 225 Table of Contents 1. The application .................................................................................................................................................... 6 2. The Site ................................................................................................................................................................ 6 3. Proposed Development ...................................................................................................................................... 9 3.1. The Proposed Development ......................................................................................................................... 9 3.1.1. Wind Turbines .................................................................................................................................... 11 3.1.2. Site entrance ...................................................................................................................................... 12 3.1.3. Access tracks ..................................................................................................................................... 12 3.1.4. Crane stands...................................................................................................................................... 12 3.1.5. Blade laydown area. .......................................................................................................................... 13 3.1.6. Electrical Substations ......................................................................................................................... 13 3.1.7. Meteorological masts ......................................................................................................................... 13 3.1.8. Overhead transmission lines and underground cables ...................................................................... 13 3.1.9. Visitor centre ...................................................................................................................................... 14 3.1.10. Temporary site compound ............................................................................................................. 14 3.1.11. Batching plant ................................................................................................................................ 14 3.1.12. Wastewater treatment facilities ...................................................................................................... 15 3.1.13. Borrow pit ...................................................................................................................................... 15 3.1.14. Services ......................................................................................................................................... 15 3.1.15. Capacity ........................................................................................................................................ 15 4. Planning History ................................................................................................................................................ 15 4.1. Planning History ......................................................................................................................................... 15 4.1.1. Subject Site ........................................................................................................................................ 15 4.1.2. Related Extant Planning Permissions ................................................................................................ 16 5. Submissions ...................................................................................................................................................... 19 5.1. Local Authority ............................................................................................................................................ 19 5.2. Prescribed Bodies ...................................................................................................................................... 20 5.2.1. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht ................................................................................ 20 5.2.2. An Taisce ........................................................................................................................................... 23 16.PA0029 An Bord Pleanala Page 2 of 225 5.2.3. NRA ................................................................................................................................................... 24 5.2.4. Inland Fisheries Ireland ...................................................................................................................... 25 5.2.5. HSE ................................................................................................................................................... 26 5.3. Observers ................................................................................................................................................... 27 5.3.1. Corvoderra Group .............................................................................................................................. 27 5.3.2. Corvoderry Wind Farm Limited .......................................................................................................... 27 5.3.3. Dara Calleary TD ............................................................................................................................... 29 5.3.4. Dermot McDonnell, Castlebar ............................................................................................................ 29 5.3.5. Dermot O’Donnell, Dooleeg ............................................................................................................... 30 5.3.6. Eirgrid ................................................................................................................................................ 31 5.3.7. Gerard Gallagher, Shanvolahan ........................................................................................................ 31 5.3.8. John G. Moyles Snr. and Others, Formoyle ....................................................................................... 32 5.3.9. Jon Freestone and Nuala O’Malley, Shanvolahan ............................................................................. 32 5.3.10. Mary McLoughlin, Shanvolahan .................................................................................................... 33 5.3.11. Michael Gillespie, Derra Upper ...................................................................................................... 33 5.3.12. Michelle Mulherin TD ..................................................................................................................... 33 5.3.13. Mollie Gallagher, Shanvolahan ...................................................................................................... 34 5.3.14. Residents of Shanavolahan ........................................................................................................... 34 5.3.15. Ronan O’Donnell, Dooleeg ............................................................................................................ 34 5.3.16. Scoil Neifinn, Keenagh .................................................................................................................. 35 5.3.17. The Glenalt Syndicate c/o JBR Hewat ........................................................................................... 35 5.3.18. Townagh Group, Townaghmore and Townaghbeg ....................................................................... 35 6. Planning Policy .................................................................................................................................................. 36 6.1. National Energy Policy................................................................................................................................ 36 6.2. Regional Policy ........................................................................................................................................... 40 6.3. Development Plan Policy ............................................................................................................................ 41 6.3.1. Mayo County Development Plan 2014-2020. .................................................................................... 41 6.3.2. Renewable Energy Strategy for Co. Mayo 2011 – 2020 .................................................................... 42 6.3.1. Landscape Appraisal of County Mayo ............................................................................................... 44 16.PA0029 An Bord Pleanala Page 3 of 225 7. Oral Hearing ......................................................................................................................................................