The proposed £150 million Doraville Wind Farm in Northern Ireland has been denied planning permission. The project, which aimed to install 33 wind turbines in the Sperrin Mountains, County Tyrone, was set to become the largest onshore wind farm in Northern Ireland, with a capacity to generate nearly 119MW of electricity.
SSE Renewables, the company behind the project, intended for the wind farm to power approximately 100,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by around 95,000 tonnes annually. The application for planning permission was initially submitted in June 2015 and has undergone several updates since then.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced the refusal of the planning application, describing the decision as “finely balanced.” Minister Mallon explained that the potential benefits of the project were carefully weighed against the potential harm to the Sperrin Mountains, an area designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
“In this case, 33 wind turbines would cause considerable harm to the landscape interest of a large part of the Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its unique archaeological, cultural, and tourism assets,” said Minister Mallon. “The economic and environmental benefits of the proposal would not outweigh the harm to these important interests.”
The Sperrin Mountains are renowned for their scenic beauty, archaeological significance, and cultural heritage. The area attracts tourists and is considered a vital part of Northern Ireland’s natural and cultural landscape. The introduction of 33 large wind turbines was seen as a significant threat to these values.
While the wind farm promised substantial economic and environmental benefits, including renewable energy generation and carbon offsetting, these were deemed insufficient to justify the potential damage to the Sperrin Mountains. The project’s ability to power 100,000 homes and offset 95,000 tonnes of carbon annually was acknowledged but ultimately not enough to secure approval.
SSE Renewables had been working on the Doraville Wind Farm project for several years, updating their plans to address various concerns. Despite these efforts, the planning application was ultimately rejected. The company has not yet announced its next steps following the refusal.
The decision to refuse planning permission for the Doraville Wind Farm highlights the complex balance between developing renewable energy infrastructure and preserving natural and cultural heritage. As Northern Ireland and other regions continue to pursue renewable energy targets, similar conflicts are likely to arise, necessitating careful consideration of all factors involved.
The refusal of planning permission for the Doraville Wind Farm underscores the importance of protecting areas of outstanding natural beauty and cultural significance, even in the face of potential economic and environmental benefits. The decision serves as a reminder of the need for a balanced approach to development, one that respects and preserves the unique landscapes and heritage of regions like the Sperrin Mountains.
