Save The South Leinster Way

Our Story...

Just like many communities across Ireland right now, our small community has sought legal advice to evaluate the case for judicial review in the High Court, to challenge the An Bord Pleanála (ABP) decision to grant planning permission for 21 enormous (180m) wind turbines on the historical and scenic South Leinster Way and the River Arrigle Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

• The decision is to litter the skyline of historical Kilkenny including Jerpoint, Thomastown and the Arrigle Valley with enormous towering wind turbines.

• The decision includes construction blasting which would demolish the protected monument of the 7th Century monastic site of Saint Molin, altering this unique religious place of peace forever.

• The decision is to drill the River Arrigle (SAC) disturbing, displacing and endangering the protected Kingfisher. The wind farm site has also been identified as a vast breeding location for conservation status red ground nesting Woodcock, the decision calls for clearing this area for access roads, enormous concrete turbine bases and substation.

• By proposing a plan of such enormous scale the developers circumnavigated Kilkenny County Council for planning permission, going straight to ABP as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID). This was all done during lockdowns (2020 - 2021) which meant no transparent public community consultation took place.

A Judicial review is a way for the High Court to supervise administrative bodies to ensure their decisions are made properly and in accordance with the law.

For a small community, raising the money for a Judicial Review is a difficult challenge. We are inviting everyone touched by the natural, scenic South Leinster Way and Arrigle Valley to join us in this fight to preserve by making a contribution, no matter how small.

Our story has been gaining media attention locally, nationally and internationally. Opposition to the project demonstrates a range of views, including those who support wind energy but are dismayed by the loss of public trust which arises from this kind proposal and poor decision-making.

Our country’s need for renewable energy should not come at the expense of our rare protected and endangered species, their protected habitats, our historical monuments and structures, our unique landscape and Irelands tourism industry. We oppose this act of national self-harm in the strongest possible terms.

Hasty decisions made now should not be looked back on with regret. We urge decision-makers not to turn renewable energy into a source of controversy and re-think the irrevocable impact this project and other similar projects across Ireland have on our distinctive landscape, which holds a special place in the hearts of thousands of International visitors each year.

While this campaign is specific to the Save the South Leinster Way, we believe that the outcome of the case can change the way in which small communities are affected by similar development plans in the future, so please join our fight.

Where your money goes…

Support our legal action in the High Court against the An Bord Pleanála decision to build an enormous towering windfarm in historical Kilkenny and the destruction of our natural heritage and SAC.

To take An Bord Pleanála to judicial review in the High Court please help us reach our goal of €30,000 for our Irish High Court action.

We will pledge any funds donated to our application and Judicial Review case with the Irish High Court.

Judicial review is a way for the High Court to oversee the lower courts, tribunals and other administrative bodies to make sure they make their decisions properly and in accordance with the law. A successful Judicial Review can stop this Wind Farm project from progressing.

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