Residents in South Conamara have won their battle against plans to construct a wind turbine near their homes.

An Bord Pleanála last week upheld a decision made by Galway County Council to refuse planning permission for a 4.2-megawatt wind turbine with an overall height of 125 metres at Bóthar Buí, Indreabhán.

Natural Forces Renewable Energy Limited had appealed the County Council decision to ABP but the planning appeals board refused to allow the development go-ahead.

It listed four main reasons for refusing the development, a decision that has been welcomed by local residents.

The Board said that in the absence of a Natura Impact Statement, it could not assess the likely or potential impact of the proposed wind turbine on Connemara Bog Complex Special Area of Conservation and Inner Galway Bay Special Protection Area.

It said that the proposed development was within an area where wind energy developments are “not normally permissible” and would contravene the County Development Plan.

ABP said the proposed development would be “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area” and contrary to policy objectives “to preserve and enhance the character of the landscape where the proper planning and sustainable development of the area requires it”.

It also stated that there was a “lack of information and clarity” from the applicant about the “potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed development”.

There are 29 houses within 580 metres and 1.2km of the site of the proposed development.

The residents formed a committee during Covid to oppose the plans.

In as statement issued ‘as Gaeilge’, the group welcomed the decision of An Bord Pleanála.

The group said: “Ba mhaith leis an ngrúpa, tréaslú le chuile dhuine a chuir aighneacht ar aghaidh chuig an mBord Pleanála agus buíochas ó chroí a ghabháil leo agus le haon duine a thug tacaíocht don fheachtas in aghaidh na pleanála seo.

“Tá muid fíorbhuíoch don ghníomhaí timpeallachta Peter Sweetman a thug comhairle agus tacaíocht  dúinn go fial.

“Tá muid fíorbhíoch freisin don Choiste um Zónáil Feirmeacha Gaoithe Chois Fharraige a d’eagraigh na haighneachta ón phobal, as a dtáinig crios zónála ar an gcósta, nach moltar feirmeacha gaoithe a bheith lonnaithe ann, sa bPlean Contae 2022-2028.

“Tá muid fíorbhuíoch do mhuintir Chill Chais, Cnoc an Chnochaire, Co. Ros Comáin a thug comhairle agus cúnamh dúinn go fial agus muid ag cosaint an cheantair ó na forbróírí a bhí beag beann ar leas an phobail áitiiúil.”