In June 2015, Derry & Strabane DC Planning Department recommended that the main application for Barr Cregg Wind Farm (A/2012/0401/F & ) be refused and following presentation to the planning committee on 1st July 2015, the application was refused and a decision notice issued on 21st July 2015. On 4th August 2015, Renewable Energy Systems Ltd submitted an appeal to the Planning Appeals Commission.
In November 2016, an Informal Hearing was undertaken by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) and the RES UK & Ireland's appeal was dismissed on 25th June 2017 on one very narrow ground relating to impact upon priority habitats.
Following a judicial review hearing at Belfast High Court on 24th January 2018, Keegan J concluded on the 21st February 2018 that “I have decided that this decision must be quashed and any reconsideration must be made in light of this judgement”. Keegan J quashed all three decisions.
A re-hearing is due to be heard by the Planning Appeals Commission on the 25th October 2018 and this FEI (2018) has been prepared and submitted to take into account the upcoming hearing.
The information contained in the Further Environmental Information (2018) Volumes 1 – 3 has been produced to present addenda (where relevant) that take account of amendments to the proposed scheme in the form of increased habitat enhancement and to reflect any changes in the baseline of the respective topics. This has been undertaken to provide clarity for the Planning Appeals Commission.
A hard copy of the FEI 2018 are available for inspection during normal opening hours and for purchase at The Diamond Centre, 630 Baranailt Road, Claudy, County Londonderry, BT47 4EA at a price of £50. A CD version of the FEI can be obtained and is free of charge. Hard copies of the FEI Non-Technical Summary are also available free of charge.
The FEI can be viewed below