Further info for Coolnagun Wind Farm plan submitted

Westmeath County Council have received significant further information about a revised plan for a wind farm at Coolnagun.

Following public consultation sessions, Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables are to submit plans for the proposed Coolnagun Wind Farm project, a 50:50 joint venture that will target the delivery of up to 800MW of renewable onshore wind energy across the midlands.

It is proposed to develop a wind farm on Coolnagun, Milkernagh and Coolcraff Bogs located in Counties Westmeath and Longford. It will be known as Coolnagun Wind Farm.

This week Coolnagun Wind Farm DAC has submitted significant further information and revised plans to the planning authority.

The development applied for consisted of: permission for the erection of a guyed wind monitoring mast, with instruments, 120 metres in height and all ancillary works necessary for its construction and maintenance, for a period of six years at Coolnagun Bog, Clonava, Coole, Mullingar, Westmeath.

The purpose of the proposed mast is to assess the suitability of the surrounding area for wind farm development.

The application will include a Natura Impact Statement. Significant further information and revised plans furnished to the local authority planners in respect of this proposed development are available for inspection or purchase at the offices of the planning authority Mullingar Municipal District, Áras an Chontae, Mount Street, Mullingar, Westmeath during public opening hours.

Submissions or observations in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority within two weeks of receipt by the it of the newspaper notice and the site notice.

In the case of a planning application accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) or a Natura Impact Statement (NIS), submissions can be made within five weeks of receipt of such notices by the planning authority and must be accompanied by the prescribed fee, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation.

As part of their community engagement programme for Coolnagun Wind Farm, Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables previously appointed a community engagement and stakeholder team, including a dedicated community liaison officer.