Wind farm refused planning amid concerns for eagle safety

An Coimisiún Pleanála has refused planning for an eight-turbine wind farm near Glenties, Co Donegal, citing risks to the Golden eagle and the White-tailed eagle.

Donegal County Council refused planning permission for Graffy Wind Farm in 2021, a decision upheld by An Coimisiún Pleanála in December 2023.

A High Court decision quashed that order last year and readmitted the case to the commission, who subsequently sought further submissions and observations.

Cuilfeach Teoranta had sought a ten-year permission for the eight-turbine wind farm with an operational life of 30 years along with an underground grid connection.

The 46-hectare site in An Ghrafaidh, north east of Glenties is mostly open moor areas with rough grazing, conifer plantations and historic turf cutting.

An Coimisiún Pleanála refused planning for the proposed wind farm, stating that it 'would constitute a highly obtrusive development' within a ‘scenic amenity’.

The commission said concerns that the wind farm would provide a ‘significant risk of collision’ for the White-tailed eagle and habitat loss and displacement for the Golden eagle were not adequately addressed.

A 134-page inspector’s report noted that the area of the proposed development is a known breeding territory for White-tailed eagles and Golden eagles.

The report said three White-tailed eagles were found dead on two nearby wind farms in the previous year, two within 6km of the proposed site.

It said the deaths of the White-tailed eagles resulting from collision with nearby turbines were recorded due to birds being satellite tagged and inactivity alert.

It posed the question whether untagged eagles, and smaller bird species mortalities, such as Merlin, at wind farms, may go unrecorded due to inherent difficulties.

The commission inspector cited concern for the small national population of five breeding pairs of Golden eagle within upland Donegal, a species not satellite tagged.

A Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Development Applications Unit submission, raised concerns about the suitability of the site.

The applicant disputed some assertions about the habitat and noted that there are no known White-tailed eagle breeding sites within 5km to 6km of An Ghrafaidh.

The applicant also said large raptor species can co-exist sustainably with wind farm developments and added that mitigation measures are proving successful, citing the example of Grousemount Wind Farm in Cork and Kerry.

An Coimisiún Pleanála acknowledged the wind farm’s potential contribution but considered that it would cause an adverse visual impact and said potential risks to eagles had not been adequately addressed with scientific evidence and conclusions.