Council opposes wind farm in North Mayo

A detailed submission prepared by Mayo County Council opposing a proposed development of 13 wind turbines in North Mayo was approved by county councillors at their October meeting and will now go forward to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) for consideration.

The submission relates to an application by RWE Renewables Ireland Limited to erect 13 wind turbines, a 110kV substation, battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated infrastructure at a site in North Mayo within the townlands of Muingmore, Doolough, Trista, Moneynierin and Bangor Erris.

As the size of the proposed development constitutes strategic infrastructure, the applicant could not apply to Mayo County Council for planning permission but instead had to apply directly to ACP. Consequently, the council formulated its own submission declaring its opposition to the windfarm.

In its submission, the council pointed out the proliferation of renewable energy developments already taking place in Mayo and the potential negative impact so many projects may have on the high-quality tourism value of North Mayo, specifically along the Wild Atlantic Way, coastal paths and routes and the sensitive archaeological and heritage landscape associated with the area.

The council summarised: “Mayo County Council is generally supportive of renewable energy projects within the county. Based on the current policy, as reflected in the Renewable Energy Strategy (RES) for County Mayo 2026, the proposed development is located on ‘unsuitable’ lands. 

"It is a strategic objective of the RES to consider new wind energy developments in the areas identified as 'open for consideration'. Therefore, the proposed location is not considered appropriate as it is located in a landscape that does not adequately provide for such a wind energy development.” 

The council’s submission went on to say the northwest of Mayo has become a particular focus for wind energy projects, unlike areas to the south and east, which have less constraints in terms of potential environmental and visual impacts, and which are designated as 'open for consideration' for such projects.

The submission further states: “In assessing this proposal, An Coimisiún should consider the multiplicity of renewable energy developments (existing, permitted and pending decision) in the North Mayo area, and the overall cumulative impact of such development, including its potential to have a significant negative impact in terms of the high quality tourism product along the Wild Atlantic Way, coastal paths and routes and the sensitive archaeological and heritage landscape associated with this area.” 

The council contended that the proposal would additionally materially contravene the Mayo County Development Plan 2022-2026 and called on ACP to give full consideration to the potential adverse impacts the proposed development might have on the tourism and heritage-based economy in an otherwise marginal location.

Welcoming the submission, Erris councillor Gerry Coyle declared: “In our small communities made up of teachers, fishermen and farmers, these multinationals arrive in with some of the best brains of engineers and planners, proposing projects such as these, and the community is given just six months to reply to their proposal, which they might have been planning for ten years or longer.

“What has gone on here is an absolute scandal the way we have allowed these poor communities to be treated. Two hundred and fifty-one people put in objections to this and we have to remember, even our own people aren’t allowed to build in these scenic areas. I thought we had learned the lessons from Corrib Gas, where a terminal was built but no pipe was put in to take the gas in. I ask for the support of this council to allow the submission go forward to ACP.” 

Cllr Seán Carey supported his Erris colleague, stating: “This project is unsuitable for the lands in this area. This is deep virgin bog they are proposing to uproot, and I am delighted the recommendation is that this be refused.” 

Referencing the many submissions opposing the development, Cllr Carey noted: “The local people had to pay to put these submissions in; this just shows the level of feeling out there. I am glad this project is being refused at this stage anyway and acknowledge all the work from the council on this. It is against the County Development Plan and doesn’t make any sense at all.” 

Cllr Michael Loftus wondered would the planning commission listen to Mayo County Council, saying: “We have already said in our Renewable Energy Strategy that this development is unsuitable but there seems to be a trend out there to put forward submissions directly to ACP and I firmly believe it is all down to greed.” 

He said the same thing is happening with forestry, “with people going directly to the Department for permission and giving people no time to object". Cllr Loftus referred to the “€130 million profit that Oweninny Wind Farm has generated”, asking: “Do we see much of that coming back to the community through the Community Gain Fund? Not at all. And I feel this is just another profit-making development, yet we can’t even export the energy already being generated as it can’t get out.” 

He added: “I would have serious objections to any future development that the people closest to and most affected by it don’t get benefits from.” 

Members approved the council’s submission and agreed for it be to lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.