Permission granted to appeal quashing of 'tallest' wind farm development

A High Court judge has granted An Bord Pleanála permission to appeal a decision quashing planning permission for a 24-turbine wind farm near Lanesborough, County Longford. Mr Justice Richard Humphreys had upheld a challenge by environmentalist Peter Sweetman against the proposed development at Mountdillon Peat Production Bog, finding that the application lacked sufficient detail to justify the granting of permission. The turbines, which would reach a tip height of 185 metres, would constitute one of Ireland's tallest structures if constructed to maximum dimensions. In his ruling on the appeal application, the judge rejected An Bord Pleanála's contention that his judgment carried extremely wide-ranging implications, describing such concerns as "overblown". He stated that certain questions arising from the case would benefit from clarification by the Court of Appeal or potentially the Supreme Court. Mr Sweetman was afforded opportunity to consider a cross-appeal before the order is finalised.