Plans for Coleraine wind farm approved by Causeway Coast and Glens Council
Plans for a new wind farm in Coleraine have been approved by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
Members of April’s Planning Committee agreed an amendment to the already-approved Cam Burn Wind Farm, which will see the construction of four turbines on lands less than one kilometre North West of 33 Craigmore Road.
Council’s Development Management and Enforcement manager, Shane Mathers, said the farm will produce up to a total of 17.04 megawatt and, while each turbine will have a larger tip height than the original application approved in 2016, increasing from 125 metres to 150 metres, the number of turbines has been reduced from six to four.
He added the farm, which will be located on the open countryside with no dwellings within the minimum 500 metre separation distance, offers ‘significant economic and environmental benefits’ including ‘substantial rates revenue’, and contributes to towards the 80% renewable energy target set by the Climate Change NI Act 2022.
“In terms of noise, Environmental Health is content with the effect of the proposal on all properties,” Mr Mathers added.
“The proposal is located not on a hill but in an undulating rural landscape. The application was accompanied by a professional landscape and visual impact assessment. It concludes the proposal will not result in an unacceptable or adverse impact on the visual amenity and landscape character of the area.”
A spokesperson for the applicant confirmed that annually the farm will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25,680 tonnes and generate electricity for up to 19,446 homes.
Members voted unanimously in favour of the application.