In a ruling issued yesterday, An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission for Coillte’s 48 Turbine Cluddaun Wind Farm in Moygownagh, Co Mayo.

The ruling has been welcomed by the Moy Valley Protection Group (MVPG), and, as a result of the ruling, the group says that Eirgrid’s 400kv Grid West proposal should be cancelled, given that it was to be built to exclusively carry the power produced by the 48 Turbine Cluddaun and 112 Turbine Oweninny Wind Farms.

The decision on the Oweninny Wind Farm has been delayed until November at the earliest as An Bord Pleanala has requested further information from the developer (owned 50\50 by ESB \Bord na Mona).

The MVGP has said that the granting of permission for the Oweninny Wind Farm is also considered to be in doubt as it is due to be built on an adjoining site to the Cluddaun Wind Farm.