“Two High Court challenges against a Bord Pleanala decision to grant planning permission for a wind farm which will have some of the highest structures in the country have been admitted to the fast track Commercial Court list.
The actions have been brought against the decision to grant permission to Coole Windfarm Ltd to develop a 13-turbine wind farm with blade tip heights of 175 metres on peatlands near the village of Coole in northwest Co. Westmeath, near the border with Co. Longford.
The first action is brought by a local residents groups the North Westmeath Turbine Action Group, and the North Westmeath Turbine Action Group Company Ltd.
The second has been brought by environmental campaigner Mr Peter Sweetman.
In proceedings against An Bord Pleanala, and the State, both seek various orders and declarations, including an order quashing the board’s decision to give the project the go-ahead.
The applicants claim the decision to grant permission, made last March, is not consistent with EU directives on Habitats and Environmental Impact Assessments.
Permission to have the board’s decision judicially reviewed was granted by the High Court last May, Westmeath Co Council, and the developer of the proposed wind farm, Coole Windfarm Ltd, are notice parties to the actions.”
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