Controversial wind farm gets green light despite almost 1,500 objections

August’s Planning Committee meeting approved an application for the wind farm, comprising up to four turbines with a 150-metre blade tip height, on lands close to 175 Gelvin Road, in the townlands of Brishey and Curraghlane, near Dungiven.

Plans also include an electrical substation/control building and associated ancillary works.

A planning officer said council recently received legal correspondence on behalf of the Save Benbradagh campaign group outlining issues regarding public rights of way, public access, and recreational pathways the mountain, which they say must be “properly investigated before the application is determined”.

“It sets out details of a public right of way application, made to council on August 24 this year,” the officer added.

“It refers to public safety, access, tourism, and calls for matters to be properly identified and investigated and request that the application be adjourned, deferred or withdrawn.

In their response the applicant said there was “no legal basis to seek injunctive relief”, and the right of way application’s argument to terminate that application for the above reasons was “without foundation and wrong in law”.

“It states that the claimed right of way would not be obstructive, the rights of way referred to are speculative, tourism impacts are already considered in the environmental statement, and if the position of objectors was accepted this would delay the process by many years,” the officer clarified.

They also noted that while council has received 1,429 objections to the farm, with 526 in support, the farm will provide several environmental, economic, and social benefits, including “substantial” rates revenue, contributing towards the Climate Change Act target of 80 percent renewable energy by 2030, and the production of jobs.

On officers’ recommendation, members voted to approve the wind farm with 10 voting in favour and two abstentions.