Plans lodged for wind farm close to Lough Funshinagh

A planning application for a small-scale South Roscommon wind farm 3.5km west of Lough Funshinagh has been lodged with the local authority.

EDF Renewables Ireland Ltd submitted a planning application for the proposed development on 27.4 hectares of land north of Rahara village.

The proposed wind farm site is located in the townlands of Carrowkeel, Longfield, Kilmass, Grange and Rahara and is situated to the west of the R362 which runs in a north-south direction connecting Athleague and Athlone.

The project includes the installation of four wind turbines with a a total tip height of 185 metres, a rotor diameter of 149.1 metres to 163 metres and a hub height of 103.5 metres to 110 metres.

Permission is also being sought for the construction of a permanent 38kV on-site electrical substation and a meteorological mast with a height of 36 metres.

Also forming part of the plans is the upgrade of an existing agricultural entrance from the R362 for use as a permanent site entrance by all vehicular traffic during construction and operation.

Planning documentation states that a 38kV grid connection comprising approximately 18.8 km of underground cable from the proposed wind farm substation to the consented 110kV substation at Taduff, Co. Roscommon is proposed to cross the townlands of Longfield, Kilmass, Carrowkeel, Rahara, Lysterfield, Gortnasoolboy, Coolnageer, Carrick, Derryglad, Gortnasythe, Atteagh, Ratawragh, Mullagh, Knocknanool, Corrantotan, Ballymulvahill, Rooskagh, Cloonakille and Bealnamulla.

The felling of approximately 5.5 hectares of forestry to facilitate construction and operation of the proposed wind farm and biodiversity enhancement measures to include replanting of 2.42 hectares of trees and 1,240 metres of hedgerows are included in the plans.

It is also noted that minor temporary works are required at a number of locations along the R363 and R362 from Monksland to the proposed wind farm site to allow delivery of oversize turbine components to the site.

Letters of consent for the proposed development from seven local landowners were submitted as part of the planning application which was lodged with Roscommon County Council on April 17.

The planning notice for the project also details that EDF Renewables Ireland Ltd is seeking a 10 year planning permission for the proposed development, the green energy company stating that the wind farm will be operational for 35 years from the date of full commissioning. The proposed development will take "between 18 and 24 months to complete" from start of construction.

Roscommon County Council is due to make a decision on the application by July 25.