High Court Decision Believed To Bode Well For Clare Renewable Energy Projects

Clare FM

A Clare Green Party representative is hopeful a recent decision will pave the way for greater compliance with climate law in future renewable energy projects. The High Court has ruled that An Bórd Pleanála didn't fulfil its duty to comply with climate law when it refused permission for a wind farm proposed by Norwegian firm Statkraft in County Laois. The Coolglass Wind Farm was denied planning permission on the basis that the Laois County Development Plan deemed the area unsuitable for wind farms but Statkraft argued that this didn't take the county's climate obligations into account. A number of similar developments have been opposed in Clare recently for reasons such as visual impact, flicker and proximity to residential areas, but Ennis Green Party representative Brigid Ginnity says she hopes the High Court's decision means climate targets will be the main consideration going forward.