Galway County Council has refused planning permission for a wind farm energy development near Maam Cross in Connemara.
An application was made by Tullaghmore Windfarm Limited to build 6 wind turbines on a site off the N59 in the the townlands of Tullaghmore, Tawnaghbeg, Tullaghaboy and Lurgan, northeast of Maam Cross.
The wind turbines would have had an overall height of 185m from the ground to the tips of their blades, and a rotor diameter of 162m.
The developer sought a ten year planning permission, for an operational lifespan of 30 years for the wind farm.
All told, the wind farm would have had 40.8MW electricity generation capacity.
In refusing planning permission, the county council said that the site is designated as not permissible for wind energy developments under the county development plan.
The visual prominence of the location, on high ground, was also given as a reason for refusal, as was the proposed access to the site via the N59.
Concerns were also expressed that the wind farm might interfere with the Air Corps Low flying Training Area West.
Finally, the council said that not enough information had been supplied to assuage concerns about potential environmental and ecological impacts from the development.
