Public meeting in Crossmolina over controversial proposal

A community meeting will take place in Crossmolina this evening to discuss a planning application proposing to construct a permanent bridge and access route through the Crossmolina Community Field as part of the third phase of development of the Oweninny Wind Farm.

Residents are gathering amid concerns that the proposed permanent infrastructure would have a lasting impact on a much-loved community space in the town, as well as on local biodiversity and on residential properties.

Bord na Móna Powergen Ltd has applied to Mayo County Council for planning permission to carry out temporary and permanent works to facilitate the delivery of turbine components for the wind farm.

The proposed Turbine Delivery Route will run 188km from Killybegs Harbour in Co. Donegal to Co. Mayo, with 36km of the route located within Mayo.

The proposed works in the county cover 5.87 hectares and affect the townlands of Lecarrow, Crossmolina, Abbeytown, Knockalegan, Glebe, Gortskeddia, Ballina, Abbeyhalfquarter, Knocknalyre and Bunree.

Among the permanent works proposed is the construction of a 2.7km dual-purpose cycleway and walkway in Crossmolina, along with a permanent bridge crossing the River Deel, public lighting along the route and a permanent drainage system.

The proposed access road would pass through the Community Field in Crossmolina, a space residents say belongs to the entire community and has been at the centre of local life for decades.

The field has hosted the Crossmolina Show for the past 40 years and most recently welcomed Circus Corvenie for a weekend.

One local resident, who is attending tonight's meeting, spoke to the Western People ahead of the gathering to explain why the community is coming together.

“It was upsetting to read about because we knew nothing about it until we learnt about the planning application,” they explained. “It is a community space, and there are a lot of people who are quite concerned.” 

 The resident said people are worried that if the proposed works go ahead, community events that have long taken place on the field would no longer be possible, with local people ultimately losing an important shared space.

They also highlighted concerns about the environmental impact of the development. Works are proposed to take place near to the River Deel, where there are wildlife habitats, mature trees, archaeological monuments and protected heritage assets.

“There are a lot of young people concerned, as it affects their future. And they are concerned about the effects on biodiversity and the environment,” they said, adding the area is home to community-led pollinator initiatives and ‘No Mow’ zones to protect wildlife.

Residents are also concerned that the proposed infrastructure could prevent long-held ambitions for a dedicated walkway and footbridge as part of the River Walk.

In addition, the proposed access and amenity track would pass close to residential properties, community facilities and existing walking and cycling routes.

Planning drawings submitted to Mayo County Council show the Turbine Delivery Route divided into six sections, running from the Community Field through the proposed River Deel Turbine and Pedestrian Bridge, across agricultural lands, along Abbeytown Road, over the R315 Killala Road and through further agricultural lands.

“It doesn’t make any sense, it will be a terrible disruption of the landscape,” the local resident said.

Tonight's public meeting will take place at 8pm in Hiney's Upper Deck and is open to all.

“We hope there will be various groups at the meeting. It will be the community at large; we want to create public awareness and show we are all in this together,” the resident added.

“We want to raise our concerns for our community in a respectful manner.” 

Planning permission for the permanent and temporary works has been sought for a period of 10 years. A decision on the application is due to be made by Monday, August 24, 2026.