Firm’s wind turbine permission granted

A Parteen-based blow-moulding company will be able to generate its own electricity, having secured planning permission to erect an 800 kilowatt wind turbine.

Limerick Blow Moulding has been given the green light to construct an Enercon E53 800 kilowatt turbine, with a maximum hub height of 73m and maximum blade length of 53m, at Knockballynameath, Parteen, subject to 12 planning conditions.
The turbine has to be removed 20 years after the date of commissioning of the development, unless planning permission for a further period is granted. Facilities have to be installed at the developer’s expense to ensure that radio and television transmissions in the area are not interfered with.
Details of the facilities to be installed have to be submitted to and agreed with the planning authority following consultation with the relevant authorities before the wind turbine is commissioned.
The company has to pay a planning contribution of €6,291.77 in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting the development, which will be adjusted from January 1 next in line with the Wholesale Price Index. According to the planning conditions, noise levels from the development can’t exceed 43 dBA when measured at the nearest noise-sensitive location and measurements have to be in accordance with the ISO recommendation.
The developer also has to arrange for the monitoring of noise levels within six months of the commissioning of the development. Details of the nature and extent of the monitoring programme, including any mitigation measures, have to be submitted and agreed to in writing with the planning authority before the development starts.
Another condition stipulates the wind turbine has to be constructed in a way that doesn’t result in any deterioration of communication signals in the area.
In the event of interference or a loss in signal quality, the developer has to consult with the service provider and undertake remedial works at his own expense. Before the installation of the turbine, the developer has to contact the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) for an agreed aeronautical obstacle warning lighting scheme for the turbine. Coordinates and elevation details of each erected turbine have to be submitted to the IAA for confirmation after the turbine has been put in place.
The conditions also state the council and the IAA have to be notified at least 30 days before the erection of the wind turbine in the interest of safe navigation of aircraft.
In a recent letter to the council, the IAA confirmed it was satisfied the turbine was in order once it conformed to the proposed planning application plans.
It stated the authority might require the turbine to be lit with aeronautical warning lighting, details of which could be agreed between both parties.
The development is located about 7.5 kilometres from the Woodcock Hill surveillance radar.