Cregg wind farm refusal

Proposals for a six-turbine wind farm near Nobber have been shot down by An Bord Pleanala.
The planning board has refused an application by Cregg Windfarm Ltd for a 10-year planning permission for the construction, operation and decommissioning of the wind farm, which would consist of up to six wind turbine generators to supply electricity to the national grid.
Meath County Council refused permission for the project last December, but the developers appealed that decision.
The council had received a total of 47 objections and submissions against the proposal.
In a decision issued on Tuesday, An Bord Pleanala refused permission on the grounds that the windfarm would unduly interfere with the views from Whitewood House, a protected structure.  
A spokesperson for the Meath Wind Information Group said the group was “absolutely delighted” at the decision.
“We are particularly encouraged that the Bord was cognisant of the potential of the wind farm to unduly interfere with the views from Whitewood House.
“We are aware that this is a protected structure in the Meath County Development Plan.
“This emboldens us in our resistance to the proposal for the much larger Emlagh wind farm”, the spokesperson said.
An oral hearing is continuing this week into a seperate application by North Meath Wind Farm Ltd for 46 turbines in three wind farm clusters.
Deputy Helen McEntee welcomed the Cregg decision, saying industrial windfarms were not suitable in active agricultural areas.
She said the decision had heartened those who are also fighting the Emlagh windfarm proposals.
Senator Thomas Byrne said he was particularly pleased that the windfarm had been refused on the basis of our heritage and historic sites.
Cllr Michael Gallagher said that a lot of people in the Nobber area were relieved by the decision, while Cllr Paddy Meade said it boded well for those opposed to the Emlagh Wind Farm.
Cllr Sean Drew also welcomed the decision.
We were unable to contact the developers for comment.