'No material planning grounds' to refuse Benbradagh turbines application, says Dungiven SF councillor
A Dungiven councillor has said there were ‘no material planning grounds’ to refuse a planning application for wind turbines on Benbradagh mountain, despite almost 1,500 objections.
Sinn Féin Councillor Kathleen McGurk said: “Throughout this planning application process, my Sinn Féin colleagues have worked to ensure that the views of local residents were properly heard and represented. Benbradagh and the surrounding landscape are hugely important to the people who live here.
“That engagement helped secure a significant reduction in the scale of the original proposal, from six turbines to four, with the two most prominent turbines removed from the scheme.
"This is an important change which reduces the overall visual impact of the development and demonstrates the value of local people engaging with the planning process.
"Councillors on the Planning Committee are legally required to make decisions based on current planning policy. Planning officials recommended the application for approval, and there were no material planning grounds that would have allowed the application to be lawfully refused.
“Sinn Féin believes that increasing renewable generation will play an important role in improving energy affordability and security, to deliver lower and more stable energy costs by ending our reliance on imported fossil fuels, as well as delivering on our commitments to reduce emissions and creating new economic opportunities across the region.
"It is also our position that every planning application must be assessed on its own merits, in line with planning policy, and with real and meaningful consideration of community feedback.
"We will continue to support communities in engaging constructively with the planning system and ensure that future renewable energy development is delivered responsibly and sustainably."