Proposed grid connection from Mayo wind farm turned down

A GRID connection from the Sheskin Wind Farm in north Mayo to the national grid at the Bellacorrick ESB station has been refused planning permission by Mayo County Council.

ABO Wind Ireland Ltd. sought at 10-year permission to develop an electricity service, entailing the laying of 10.4 kilometres of 38kV underground cable from the granted Sheskin Wind Farm to connect to the national grid.

The connection from the eight-turbine wind farm was proposed to be installed along existing private tracks, the public roadway and a short section of private agricultural land at the townlands of Sheskin, Tawnaghmore, Kilsallagh and Bellacorrick.

Council planners cited two reasons for turning the application down.

Due to the weak peat subgrades underlying this section of the N59, the proposed trench construction would result in a rigid trench with flexible pavement on either side. This would result in differential pavement settlement with pavement failure and seriously reduce the life design of the pavement.

'As such it would be contrary to national policy in relation to development on national roads which is to curtail development in order to safeguard the substantial public investment in such roads and to maintain their carrying capacity and safety.

'The proposed development would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard and the obstruction of road users.'

Secondly, it was found that the installation of the proposed underground electricity infrastructure would comprise the ability of Mayo County Council to maintain or improve this section of the N59 due to its presence and any exclusion zone which would be specified around it.