Fresh wind farm plan reduces proposed number of turbines at east Antrim site
A reduction in the number of turbines at a proposed wind farm on the east Antrim coast has been submitted to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) for consideration.
The proposed Unshinagh Wind Farm location is five miles south-west of Carnlough and five miles west of Glenarm in the townlands of Drumourne Unshinagh Mountain.
In 2024, the Department refused planning permission for a proposed wind farm by Larne-based Renewable Energy Systems (RES) in Millbrook at the location which is within the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
In June, the company submitted an amended proposal to DfI for consideration, reducing the proposed wind farm from 14 turbines to nine, with other amendments to the proposal in relation to a sub-station and battery storage.
A report outlining the local authority’s draft response, presented to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee, said: “Council reiterates concerns in relation to the visual impacts of this wind farm, now comprising of nine turbines, each of 180 metres in height.
"Council considers this proposal would detract from the high quality landscape and adversely affect the unique characteristics of the AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) , the settlements of Carnlough and Glenarm and the Conservation Areas within both.
"Council are also of the opinion that this proposal would prejudice the designated ACHS and undermine policy – ‘Area of Constraint on High Structures’ which seeks to protect the distinctive and vulnerable landscapes and the assets associated with the natural and historic environment of these areas.”
The council’s draft response noted that the Larne Area Plan indicates support for initiatives aimed at reducing demand for energy from fossil fuels.
"It also refers to large areas of exposed upland and states the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty would not be considered suitable for the location of wind turbines.
"The council’s Plan Strategy and regional policy on renewable and low carbon energy support the potential for sustainable renewable energy development within Mid and East Antrim from a wide range of technologies.
"They also emphasise that such developments should be within appropriate locations, within the built and natural environment and should not result in an unacceptable adverse impact in visual amenity and landscape character, especially sensitive landscapes where their intrinsic value should be protected from inappropriate development.
"The council remains concerned that the visual impacts of this wind farm, comprising nine turbines, 180m in height, would detract from this high quality landscape and adversely affect the unique characteristics of the AONB, the settlements of Carnlough and Glenarm and the Conservation Areas within both. The council would also be concerned that these detrimental visual impacts would affect the tourism assets and visitor attraction to the area.
"The site for the proposed wind farm is also located within the eastern Garron Plateau and Scarp Slopes Area of Constraint on High Structures.
"Whilst this amended proposal has reduced the total number of turbines, four of the nine turbines now proposed remain within the ACHS designation. Council remain of the view the proposal, as amended, would prejudice this designated ACHS and undermine policy.”
It was noted that the council is not a decision-making body for this application.
Jennifer McCorry, project manager, at RES, said: “Following the Department for Infrastructure’s Notice of Opinion to Refuse planning permission for the Unshinagh Wind Farm proposal in January 2024, RES undertook a comprehensive review of the application and carefully considered the matters raised during the planning process.
"As a result, we submitted a significantly revised proposal, including a reduction in turbine number from 14 to nine. The amendments were specifically designed to address key issues, resulting in a substantially reduced scheme with meaningful reductions in potential landscape, visual, environmental and ornithological effects compared with the original proposal.
"Despite the reduction in scale, the proposed wind farm could still generate enough clean, low-cost electricity to power approximately 45,000 homes every year.
"Furthermore, the project could deliver around £29m of investment in the Northern Ireland economy during construction, helping to create opportunities for local businesses, contractors and supply chains.”