Planners make decision on Limerick wind farm which attracted hundreds of objections

A PLANNING application for a wind farm near Coolcappa village, which drew more than 400 objections, has been turned down.

Ballynisky Green Energy Ltd sought planning permission from Limerick City and County Council to construct six wind turbines with an overall height of 158 metres near the village.

The rotors are projected to measure 136 metres wide, while work to facilitate the wind farm would see around 3.4km of new site acces tracks constructed.

The energy firm, which is based in Adare, is seeking 10 years to construct the structures, and to have the wind farm operational for a total of 35 years from the date of commission.

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However, this Friday, Limerick City and County Council has refused planning permission, citing three reasons.

Planners stated the applicant had not demonstrated that its proposal would not have an impact on the amenity of residents, alongside noise sensitive features and locations within the vicinity and surrounding area of the application site.

They added they felt there is "a significant amount of information missing" from the application prepared by the developer.

In a report, the planning authority added that the developer had also failed to demonstrate the proposal would not have a material impact on the local road network, and also runs contrary to rules governing protected structures, historic gardens, landscapes and parklands.

Ballynisky Green Energy Ltd have the option to appeal against the council's decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála, formerly An Bord Pleanála.

Among the concerns raised were fears the proposed turbines would dominate the local skyline and alter the character of the landscape.

Health concerns were raised, as well as fears around the impact it could have on local wildlife and biodiversity.

For its part, Ballynisky has said it would generate a community benefit fund of around €150,000 per year to be used locally, and there will be opportunities for residents to decide where it is spent.

Around 30 to 35 direct and indirect jobs would be created, they add.

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As well as this, the firm has stated local communities will benefit from green energy and a reduction in carbon emissions once the project is connected to the national grid.

It said that the project will be able to power more than 18,000 homes and a reduction in carbon emissions of up to 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide can be achieved.

The firm did not respond to a request for comment this Friday from Limerick Live.

Adare-Rathkeale councillor Adam Teskey said: "This is an outcome I would expect the majority of people in the area would welcome".

"The real place for the proposal of wind energy to take place should be off-shore. I don't think anyone is against wind energy, but it has to be in the correct location," he added.

Brenda Dowling of the Coolcappa Community Action Group, which has staged weekly demonstrations outside Ballynisky's Adare office in protest at the development, admitted concern around the scope of the refusal.

"Hundreds of people spoke up, and they’ve effectively been ignored, that’s not how planning should work. It’s extraordinary that a heritage designation on an open field of grass has received more weight than the health of our children and no mention of Coolcappa National School," she said.

"The council's refusal rates noise as an amenity but is not just about comfort — it’s about sleep, stress, and long-term wellbeing. Planners are not doctors. Without proper health input, this process is fundamentally flawed," she added.