The Save Gougane Barra group say the proposed €30 million development by Wingleaf Renewable Energy is not suitable for the area and have raised over €30,000 in less than a month to fund the challenge.
An Bord Pleanála gave the project, which consists of seven 178 metre turbines at Curraglass, the go-ahead after Cork County Council refused permission.
The hearing of the application will take place on April 27th.
Speaking to RedFM News, Neil Lucey from the Gougane Barra Hotel says locals are struggling to understand how the project was given the green light:
“An Bord Pleanala’s own inspector went against putting the wind farm in this location as well because of its visual impact, its impact on nature, its impact on uplands, and it’s cited as being not the right location for this. The original planning- there was originally a small wind from there 20 years ago and originally An Bord Pleanála said that it was not suitable 20 years ago and gave the original one a 20 year licence. The original one actually went and fire one or two of the turbines one of actually burnt side of the mountain up there.”
