Kerry community windfarm fight over: ‘It is a huge load off our shoulders’
After a five-year battle, the community of Sliabh Luachra is celebrating this week after receiving the long-awaited news that a proposed wind-farm development in the heart of their community in County Kerry, southern Ireland, has been refused
An Bord Pleanála refused planning permission development on March 13, and opponents received the good news in a letter on Tuesday, March 14.
Their decision comes after a lengthy court battle which saw the community – under their campaign group, Sliabh Luachra Wind Awareness – take a judicial review case to the High Court, which they won in late 2019, upholding an appeal by local protesters taken against the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning.
Following this, the proposed wind-farm development between Gneeveguilla and Ballydesmond had to come back before the planning board and, over three years later, a decision has been made, refusing planning permission.
The decision by An Bord Pleanála states that the proposed development is located in an area “unsuitable for wind development” and, therefore, would go against the Kerry County Development 2022-2028. In the former county development plan, this land was zoned differently.
While the company behind the wind-farm Silverbirch Renewables could ultimately appeal the planning board decision, it appears unlikely given the High Court decision and this week’s decision.
“It is the end of a long road. This started in 2017, so it is going on five years, but we as a community are delighted with today’s decision. The phone hasn’t stopped ringing. It is a huge load off our shoulders,” said campaign group chairman Fred O’Sullivan.
He said the wind-farm campaign had divided the community, but he hopes that this week’s decision will reunite the community.
“It has been a long long battle,” he said. “We weren’t expecting the letter today, but we are thrilled to bits. It has been stressful and it divided the community.”
He said that the good news for Sliabh Luachra this week will give hope to other communities fighting similar developments.
“Communities can win if they take a case,” he said.
See more here independent.ie
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