Backlog delays decision on Umma More wind farm

An Coimisiún Pleanála have yet to reach a decision on the wind turbine development proposed for Umma More, in the Moyvoughley/Drumraney area of Westmeath, despite having indicated a decision date of last May.

The state planning body refused permission in February 2024. They cited the height (185 metres ground-to-blade tip height), the scale (nine turbines) and the output (55.8 MW overall generating capacity).

The board was also not satisfied with a collision risk assessment of birds with the turbines that failed to screen out the protected species of Blackheaded Gull and Lapwings. In October of that year the High Court quashed the An Bord Pleanála (as it was at the time) decision.

Following that ruling, Umma More Ltd, the applicant, reactivated their proposal in January of this year to construct a renewable energy development comprising nine wind turbines and associated infrastructure.

That application, submitted as a Strategic Infrastructure project, is currently under review by An Coimisiún Pleanála.

The proposed wind farm has been the subject of local opposition, including proximity to the Hill of Uisneach, which was included on Ireland’s 2020 UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list for World Heritage Site Status.

The developers were seeking a 10-year permission, but with the intention that the operational life of the wind farm, from full commissioning to decommissioning, is 30 years.

An Coimisiún Pleanála have listed the application’s decision status as a "live case".

In July, the Joint Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery heard that An Coimisiún Pleanála has been experiencing delays in processing wind energy infrastructure cases, impacting the progress towards Ireland’s climate action targets.

It heard that the planning oversight body had made progress in reducing its caseload, and the backlog has decreased from 3,600 cases in May 2023 to around 1,250-1,300 cases by mid-June 2025.