CLONROCHE WINDFARM CHALLENGE IN HIGH COURT

CLONROCHE residents have confirmed that a legal challenge is under way against An Bord Pleanala’s decision to grant planning permission for a wind farm development on Ballinclay Hill.

A public meeting will be held in Clonroche Community Centre on Thursday, February 9, at 8 p.m. to appraise residents about the challenge. An application was made to the High Court for permission to review the legality of the way An Bord Pleanala came to its decision to grant planning permission for this wind farm by developers Ballinclay Windfarms Ltd, whose directors is Edward Murphy, who lives in Thomastown.

On January 16 last, the High Court accepted that there were substantial legal grounds for bringing this case and the court gave permission to proceed to seek a full judicial review at a future date, which has yet to be fixed.

Despite Wexford County Council opposing the proposed development by refusing to grant planning permission, An Bord Pleanala overturned the Council’s ruling and granted planning on November 16th 2016.

A spokesperson for the resident’s group said: ‘Our legal representatives have identified a number of grounds which they will ask the court to examine. We are very pleased that the court has given the green light for these grounds to be pursued, albeit coming at a high financial cost to the community. We have received fantastic support from the local community in opposing this proposed development. Residents are unhappy about being forced into having industrial wind turbines imposed on their community so that a select few can profit from the misery, property devaluation and adverse health implications associated with these wind farms.’