Clare wind farm refused due to aviation safety risks

An Coimisiún Pleanála has refused planning permission for a proposed 11-turbine wind farm in the ‘12 O’Clock hills’ of south east Clare. The project, submitted by Danish energy company Ørsted, was located approximately 9km north of Limerick city.

The refusal was based on aviation safety concerns raised by Shannon Airport and AirNav Ireland. The commission ruled that the development posed a ‘significant risk of major accident’ due to the potential degradation of surveillance equipment. It concluded that the applicant failed to provide ‘measurable, evidence based, demonstratable and credible mitigation’ to remove aviation-related risks.

While the commission noted the project would have had a significant positive effect on the climate and no significant adverse environmental effects, the safety risks to aviation outweighed these benefits. The commission also expressed dissatisfaction regarding the applicant's ability to install safety measures meeting the specifications of the Irish Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies.