The legal challenge to An Bord Pleanála was made by People Over Wind (POW), a community group who are concerned with the size and scale of proposed wind farm developments in the midlands area.

In a lengthy judgment of some 119 pages, Mr Justice Robert Haughton dismissed the challenge brought by the environmental group, which claimed that An Bord Pleanála had not carried out an "appropriate assessment in light of the best scientifc knowledge available."

Justice Haughton said he was satisifed the board had done so and that they had "engaged with all observations and included sufficient findings, examination and analysis."

POW also failed in their claim that An Bord Pleanála failed to have regard for the decision to refuse permission for the development by Laois County Council.

The court clarified that the underlying reason for the council refusing permission was that "it was not satisfied that a proper appropriate assessment had been carried out" which Justice Haughton found it had.

The decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission to Coillte to build the 18 turbine wind farm over 594 hecatares near Cullenagh, Co Laois was made in June last year.

The case was adjourned till later this month to let all parties consider the judgment.