TO:

FROM:

DATE:

RE:

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Mr. C. Boland, Deputy Chairperson

Drafting Section

2dh May, 2015

5 Wind Turbines at Moneypoint Generating Station, Carrowdotia North and Carrowdotia South, Killimer, Kilrush, County Clare.

The Board granted permission with conditions for the above-mentioned development on the 12th December, 2013.

Please see hereunder letter with enclosures received from ESB International on behalf of the applicant ESB Wind Development Limited.

The letter requests permission from the Board under Section 146A(l)(b)(iii) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, for a non-material amendment to the permitted combination of turbine towers and blades to cater for all tenderers' proposals.

The amendment proposes that the turbines will comprise a tower 92-100 metres high, to which three blades 52-60 metres length will be attached. The limit of 152 metres for the maximum overall dimension will remain.

It is stated that aspects of the environment that are potentially affected by the proposed amendment are visual impact and potential shadow flicker. In the case of shadow flicker, limits are provided in condition number 7 of the Board's order and these will continue to apply. It is also stated that the development, including the proposed minor amendment, will comply fully with this condition.

J:/Section Folders/Drafting Memo regarding 241624

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The letter states that in the case of visual impact, no incremental visibility of either the turbine towers or the turbines as a whole will result from the proposed minor amendment.

File herewith for consideration please.

&.+&.+#! Brid McManus

Executive Officer

. ..- . .

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J:/Section Folders/Drafting Memo regarding 241624

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Ref: PL 03.241 624 ~ .. Ref: PI2174

Geny Kelly, SeniorGonsultant, ESB International, Stephen Court, 18-21 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.

22"d May, 2015 c .,I

Appeal re: Wind Farm Project at Moneypoint Generating Station, Carrowdotia North and Carrowdotia South, Kilimer, Kilrush, County Clare.

Dear Mr Kelly,

I have been asked by An Bord Pleanala to acknowledge receipt of your letter received on the 19' May, 201 5.

A further reply will issue as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely, ..

:., . - >

Executive Officer

,. . .. _... I

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d 17 INTERNATIONAL

Stephen Court. 18-21 St Stephen's Green. Dublin 2 Ireland Phone t353 1703 BOO0 Fax +3Y 1662 3269 Email marltetingQesbi ie esbi.ie

The Secretary

An Bord Pleanala

64 Marlborough Street

Dublin 'l

I 8 May 2015

Ld: Money point wina

Dear Sir I Madam

Planning permission-for Moneypoint Wind Farm was granted by An Bord PleanAla in December 2013 subject to a schedule of 14 conditions. The development is located at Moneypoint Generating Station, approximately 3 km west of Kilimer and 6 km south-east of Kilrush.

In summary, the approved development comprises five wind turbines. each having a maximum overall dimension of 152 m from ground level to the tip of the turbine blade in the fully upright position, and associated infrastructure.

It was indicated in the planning application that a range of candidate wind turbines was under consideration at the time, but that each wind turbine would have an overall maximum dimension of 152 m, comprising a tower 95 - 100 rn high, to which three blades of 52 - 55 m length would be attached. It was pointed out that specifying exact dimensions of the turbines to be installed was not possible without favouring one wind turbine manufacturer over others.

The tendering process for the supply of turbines is now well advanced and, as anticipated, the various manufacturers are offering a variety of turbine tower and blade configurations that meet the criterion of a maximum base to blade tip dimension of 152 m.

Permission is now sought under Section 146A(l)(b)(iii) of the Planning & Development Act 2000, as amended, for a non-material amendment to the permitted combination of turbine towers and blades to cater for all tendered proposals

The amendment proposes that the turbines will comprise a tower 92 - 100 m high, to which three blades of 52 - 60 m length will be attached. The limit of 152 m for the maximum overall dimension will remain.

Aspects of the environment that are potentially affected by the proposed non-material amendment are visual impact and potential shadow flicker.

In the case of shadow flicker, limits are provided in Condition 7 in the grant of permission and these will continue to apply. The development, including the proposed minor amendment, will comply fully with this Condition.

In the case of visual impact, no incremental visibility of either the turbine towers or the turbines as a whole will result from the proposed minor amendment. Separate Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) maps for the turbine towers and the turbine blade tips were presented in the planning application indicating areas where, theoretically, turbines would and would not be visible. These were based on

QUALlfY e#-?& €5.6 Internationat i s a tndlng namc 01 ESEl Engineering & Facility Managemenl Limltcd

Imsml2ma 1Q-q NSAI Ceritlled Oirccton Gerry Tallon. John Redmond. Mkhacl O'Brlcn. Oliver Brogan

Registered Office Stcphcn Court, 18-21 St Stcphcs'sGrreo. Dublin 2. Ireland Registered In Ireland No. 155249

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' m, INTERNATIONAL 4

dimensions of 100 m and 152 m for towers and blade tips respectively. These maximum dimensions are unaltered by the proposed minor amendment.

To complete the visual assessment, comparison Photomontages and Wireframe models from two locations are presented herein to illustrate the full range of tower and blade combinations enabled by the non-material nature of the proposed amendment. The photomontage locations selected, which are shown on the accompanying Figure, are the two positions closest to the wind farm site for which photomontages were presented in the planning application.

Viewpoint 4 - View southwest towards the wind farm from junction N67 I R486 approximately 250 m north of Kitlimer Ferry Terminal

Viewpoint 15 - View southeast towards Moneypoint from N67 (Scenic Route No. 19)

It will be obvious from Viewpoints 4 & 15 that the change resulting from expanding the range of blade lengths from 52 - 55 m to 52 - 60 m and expanding the range of tower heights from 95 - 100 m to 92 - 100 m has no consequences visually. Any changes would be even less apparent at greater distances from the site.

It is believed that the proposed amendment is non-material and falls within the category provided for in Section 146A(1 )(b)(iii) of the Act. The Board's permission is sought accordingly.

Yours faithfully

Gerry K g y

Senior Consultant

Tel: +353-1-7038241

Email: gerry.kelly@esbi.ie

Encl. Planning Permission PL 03.241624

Figure - Photomontage Locations

Viewpoint 4: Comparison Photomontage (panoramic) - Page 1 of 2

Viewpoint 4: Comparison Wireframes (panoramic) - Page 2 of 2

Viewpoint 15: Comparison Photomontage (panoramic) - Page 1 of 2

Viewpoint 15: Comparison Wirelines (panoramic) - Page 2 of 2

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An

PLANNING AND

Bord Pleanal

DEVELOPMENT ACTS

Clare County

Planning Register Reference Number: Plu74

An Bod Pleandla Reference Number: PL 03.241624

APPEAL by ESB Wind Development limited care of ESB International of Stephen Court, 18-21 Saint Stephen's Green, Dublin against the decision made on the 22"d day of January. 2013 by Clare County Council to refuse pemisslon.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: 1 0-Year planning permission for a Wind Farm Project at Moneypoint Generating Station, Camwdotia North and Camdotia South, Kilimer, Kllrush, County Clare. The development will consist of five wind turbines each having a rated electrical output of approximately 3,000 kilowatts, modification of the existing high-voltage Electrical Transformer Station to house additional electrical equipment and an additional single- storey control building, two anemometer masts and all associated site works, above and below ground. Each wind turbine will have an overall maximum dimension of 152 metres, comprising a tower 95-100 metres high, with a diameter of about four metres at the base, to which three blades of 52-55 metres length will be attached. An environmental Impact Statement will be submitted to the planning authority with the application, as amended by the revised public notice received by the planning authority on the 20" day of November, 201 2.

DEClSlON

GRANT permission for the above proposed development in accordance with the said plans and particulars based on the reasons and considerations under and subject to the conditions set out below.

PL 03.241624 An Bord Pleanlla Page 1 of 8

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MATTERS CONSIDERED

I

I . I

In making its decision, the Board had regard to those matters to which, by virtue of the Planning and Development Acts and Regulations made thereunder, it was required to have regard. Such matters included any submissions and observations received by it in accordance with statutory provisions.

REASONS AND CONSIDERATIONS

Having regard to:

the national targets for renewable energy contribution of 40% gross electricity consumption by 2020,

the "Wind Energy Development Guidelines - Guidelines for Planning Authorities", issued by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in June, 2006.

the policies of the planning authority as set out in the Clare County Development Plan 201 1-201 7,

the established industrial nature of the site and presence of tall structures,

the proximity and availability of a grid connection to serve the proposed development,

the planning history of the site,

the distance to dwellings or other sensitive receptors from the proposed development,

the good transport access,

the submissions made in connection with the planning application and the appeal, and

the report of the inspector,

PL 03.241624 An Bord Pleanala Page 2 of 8

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it is considered that, subject to compliance with the conditions set out below, the proposed development would not have a significant effect on the landscape or the visual or residential amenities of the area and would not adversely affect the natural heritage of the area. The proposed development would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The Board considered the Environmental Impact statement submitted with the planning application (including mitigation measures therein), the further information submitted by the applicant in the course of the planning application, the submission of the applicants at appeal stage and the Inspector's assessment of environmental Impacts. The Board completed an Environmental Impact Assessment and concluded that the proposed development would nut have a significant effect on the environment.

The Board considered the Natura Impact Statement as submitted with the appeal and carried out an Appropriate Assessment of the proposed development having particular regard to the potential for impacts on the adjoining Natura 2000 sites viz. the Lower Shannon River Special Area of Conservation Site Code 002165 and the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries Special Protection Ama Site Code 004077. The Board completed an Appropriate Assessment and having regard to the nature and scale of the proposed development, the nature of the receiving environment and the mitigation measures set out in the course of the planning application and appeal, the Board 4s satisfied that the proposed development, on its own or in combination with other plans or projects, would not adversely affect the integrity of a European site in view of the site's conservation objectives.

As the site is subject to an fPPC licence the inclusion of a noise monitoring condition was considered inappropriate.

In relation to condition number 2 of the Inspector's report (omission of T1) and after studying the Environmental Impact Statement, additional information, technical reports including that of the Senior Executive Chemist together with submissions received from the applicant, the Board did not consider that there was a specific environmental risk arising from piling of ash as indicated for Turbine 1 given that this is inert and is located outside the engineered landfill area. Consequently, the risk of environmental pollution to the Special Area of Conservation would be negligible.

PL 03.241624 An Bord Pleanala Page 3 of 8

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As regards conditlon number 19 (special financial contribution), the 8oard did not consider that public road revisions as proposed by the Inspector were necessary in terms of traffic safety.

CONDlTtONS

1. The development shall be carried out and completed in accordance with the plans and particulars lodged with the application, as amended by the further plans and particulars submitted on the 20% day of November, 2012, and by the further particulars received by An Bod Pleanata on the 1 5fh day of February, 201 3, except as may otherwise be required in order to comply with the following conditions. Where such conditions require details to be agreed with the plannlng authority, the developer shall agree such details in writing with the planning authority prior to commencement of development and the development shall be camed out and completed in accordance with the agreed particulars.

Reason: In the interest of clarity

2. This permission shall not be construed as any form of consent or agreement to a connection to the national grid or to the routing or nature of any such connection.

Reason: In the interest of clarity.

3. The period during which the development hereby permitted may be carried out shall be 10 years from the date of this order.

Reason: In the interest of clarity.

4. This permission shall be for a period of 25 years from the date of cornmksioning of the wind fam.

Reason: To enable the planning authority to review its operation in the light of the circumstances then prevailing.

PL 03,241624 An Bord Pleanala Page 4 of 0

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/

5. The developer shall ensure that all construction methods and environmental mitigation measures set out in the Environmental Impact Statement and Natura Impact Statement as submitted to An Bod Pleanala on the 15Ih day of February, 2013 and associated documentation are implemented in full, save as may be required by conditions set out below.

Reason: In the interest of protection of the environment.

The wind turbines including masts and blades, together with the monitoring mast shall be of a colour to be agreed with the planning authority.

Cables within the site shall be laid underground.

The wind turbines shall be geared to ensure that the blades rotate in the same dimdon.

No advertising material shall be placed on or otherwise be affixed to any structure on the site without a prior grant of planning permission.

Reason: In the interest of visual amenity.

Cumulative shadow flicker arising from the proposed development, shall not exceed 30 minutes In any day or 30 hours in any year at any dwelling.

The proposed turbines shall be fitted with appropriate equipment and software to control shadow flicker at dwellings.

Prior to commencement of construction, a wind farm shadow flicker monitoring programme shall be prepared by a consultant with experience of slmilar monitoring work, in accordance with details to be submitted to the planning authority for written agreement. Details of monitoring programme shall include the proposed monitoring equipment and methodology to be used, and the reporting schedule to the planning authority.

Reason: In the interest of residential amenity.

PL 03.241624 An Bord Pleanala Page 5 of 8

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8. In the event that the proposed development causes interference with telecommunications signals, effective measures shall be introduced to minimise interference with telecommunications signals in the area. Details of these measures, which shall be at the developer's expense, shall be submitted to, and agreed In writing with, the planning authority prior to commissioning of the turbines and following consultation with the relevant authorities.

Reason: In the interest of protecting telecommunications signals and of residential amenity.

9. Details of aeronautical requirements shall be submitted to, and agreed in writing with, the planning authority prior to commencement of development. Prior to commlssioning of the turbines, the developer shalI inform the planning authority and the Irish Aviation Authority of the as-constructed tip heights and co-ordinates of the turbines and wind monitoring mast.

Reason: In the interest of air traffic safety.

10. Prior to commencement of development, a transport management plan for the construction stage shall be submitted to, and agreed in writing with, the planning authority. The traffic management plan shall incorporate details of the road network to be used by construction traffic, including over-sized loads, and detailed arrangements for the protection of bridges, culverts or other structures to be traversed, as may be required.

Reason: In the interest of traffic safety.

11. (a) Prior to commencement of development, a detailed environmental. health and safety management plan for the construction stage shall be submitted, generally in accordance with the Environmental Impact Statement and the submissions made in accordance with the planning application and with the appeal, for the written agreement of the planning authority.

PL 03.241 624 An Bord Pleanala Page 6 of 8

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(b) The envfronrnental, health and safety management plan shall incorporate the following:

(ii)

(iii)

a detailed construction programme,

a detailed method statement for construction,

a programme for the on-going monitoring of water quality during the construction period, and

an emergency response plan.

Reason: In the interest of public health and safety, protection of the environment and sustainabie waste management.

12. On full or partial decommissioning of the wind farm, or if the wind farm ceases operation for a period of more than one year, the wind monitoring mast. the turbines concerned and all decommissioned structures shall be removed. and foundations covered with soil to facilitate re-vegetathn. all to be completed to the M e n satisfaction of the planning authority within three months of decommissioning or cessation of operation.

Reason: To ensure satisfactory reinstatement of the site upon full or partial cessation of the project.

13. Prior to commencement of development, the developer shall lodge with the planning authority a cash deposit, a bond of an insurance company, or such other security as may be acceptable to the planning authority, to secure the reinstatement of public roads that may be damaged by the transport of materials to the site, coupled with an agreement empowering the planning authority to apply such security or part thereof to the satisfactory reinstatement of the public road, The form and amount of the security shall be as agreed between the planning authority and the developer or, in default of agreement, shall be referred to An B o d Pleanala for determination.

Reason: In the interest of traffic safety and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

PL 03.241624 An Bord Pleanala Page 7 of 8

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I

14- The developer shall pay to the planning authority a financial contribution in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area of the planning authority that is provided or intended to be provided by or on behalf of the authority in accordance with the terms of the Development Contribution Scheme made under section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The contribution shall be paid prior to the commencement of development or in such phased payments as the planning authority may facilitate and shall be subject to any appticable indexation provisions of the Scheme at the time of payment. Details of the application of the terms of the Scheme shall be agreed between the planning authority and the developer or, in default of such agreement, the matter shall be referred to the Board to determine the proper application of the terms of the Scheme.

Reason: It is a requirement of the Planning and Development Act 2000 that a condition requiring a contribution in accordance with the Development Contribution Scheme made under section 48 of the Act be applied to the permission.

Member of An Bord'Ple&kla duly authorised to authenticate the seal of the Board.

Y.5 Dated this /a day of- 2013.

PL 03.241624 An Bord Pleanila Page 8 of 8

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IOOm hub height and 52m blade length (152m turbine blade tip height)

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92m hub height and 6Om blade length (1 52m turbine blade tip height) - Viewpoint 4 - Comparison Photomontages (panoramjc) - R g e t o f2 View southwest towards the wind farm from junction N67/R486 apprbxirFSately %Om north of Killimer Ferry Terminal

Date photo taken: U1.09.2010 Turbine blade tip height: 162m

Viewpoint location: E06462 N52615 Disbnce to nearest turbine: 2,520m (T5) Viewpoint elevation: 25m Arc of view: 55.8 deg. Height of camera above ground: : ,571

Time photo taken: 14.53 PM Number of turbines visible: 5 of 5

Recommended viewing distance: Approximately 30-50cm

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MONEYPOINT WIND FARM

March 2015 COUNTY CLARE L=COM

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IOOm hub height and 52m blade length (152m turbine blade tip height)

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92m hub height and 60m blade length (152m turbine blade tip height)

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Viewpoint 4 - Comparison Wirelines (panoramic) - Page amJ 1 View southwest towards the wind farm from junction N671R486 approximately 25dm north of Killirner Ferry Terminal

Date photo taken: 01.09.zoio Time photo taken: 1453 PM Viewpoint location: E06462 N52615 Viewpoint elevalion: 25m Height or camera above ground: 1 .SIT1

Turbine blade tip height: 152m Number of turbines visible: 5 of 6 Distance to nearest turbine: 2.520m (T5) Arc of view: 55.8 deg. Recommended viewlng distance: Approximately 30-5Ocm

MONEYPOINT WIND FARM COUNTY CLARE k-COM

March 2016

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Viewpoint 15 - Comparison Photomontages (panoramic) - Page I of & View southeast towards Moneypoint from N67 (Scenic Route No. 19)

92m hub height and 60m blade length (152m turbine blade tip height)

Dale photo raken: 02,03.2011 Turbine blade tip height: 152m

Viewpoint location: E02230 N52469 Distance to nearest turbine: 647m (Tl) Viewpoint elevation: 2m Arc of view: 45.8 deg. Height of camera above ground: 1.5m

Time photo taken: 14:35 PM Number of turbines visibte: 5 of 5

Recommended viewing distance: Approximately 30-50cm

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Viewpoint 15 - Comparison Wireframes (panoramic) - Page 2 of 2 . _ 1% 7; P a < r , ' a;

View southeast towards Moneypoint from N67 (Scenic Route No. 19) f ! 3 a i 3. !.

Date photo taken: 02.03.2011 Turbine blade tip height: 152m Time photo taken: 1435 PM Number of turbines visible: 5 o f 6 Viewpoint location: E02230 N52469 Distance to nearest turbine: 647m (TI) Viewpoint elevation: 2m Arc of view: 45.8 deg. Height of camera above ground: I s m

COUNTY CLARE k-co! Recommended viewing distance: Approximately 30-50cm March 2015

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a, 4 2 3

ESB International Stephen Court. 18-21 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin Z Ireland Phone +353 1703 8000 Fax +353 1703 BO88 Emall rnarketing@esbi,ie esbi.ie

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