ABP – REFUSE PERMISSION to Coillte

9th March 2023 – letter received from ABP who REFUSE PERMISSION to Coillte CGA, based on the following: ‘Notwithstanding the general planning policy support for wind energy generation at national , regional and local policy level including Objective WE 01 of the Carlow County Development Plan 2022-2028, which seeks to increase the penetration of wind energy generation in County Carlow at appropriate locations and scale and subject to compliance with proper planning and environmental considerations, in relation to the specific appeal site location, Policy WE P4 of the plan states that wind farm development will not normally be permissible in the Uplands Landscape Type identified in the Carlow County Landscape Character Assessment. The proposed development would be sited on lands that are located within the designated Blackstairs and Mount Leinster Uplands Character Area and it is therefore within an area where wind farm development is not normally permissible. Accordingly, it is considered that the proposed development would materially contravene Policy WE P4 of the development plan and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.