Wind farm operator given go ahead for meteorological mast in Laois despite objections

Planning permission has been granted for the operation of an 80 metre meteorological mast on Cullahill Mountain in County Laois for a five year period, despite the huge number of objections against the planning application.

Cullahill Wind Farm Limited sought permission in August 2025 for the continued use of the mast which was installed in March of last year at Gorteennahilla.

The purpose of the mast is to explore the suitability for a potential wind farm at the location. The planning documents submitted by the applicant states that the mast must operate for a period of 5 years in order to accurately record and predict long-term meteorological conditions and to ensure the optimal technical operation of a potential wind energy development.

Cullahill Wind Farm Limited explained: "Due to the variability of Irish weather conditions, it is considered that a period of 5-years is appropriate to allow for a comprehensive evaluation of meteorological conditions at this location.

"Notwithstanding that the Wind Energy Development Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2006 consider a measurement period of 2 years to be sufficient, it is current best practice within the wind energy industry in Ireland to measure meteorological conditions over an extended period."

They justified their proposal for a 5 year operation, arguing: "It should be further noted that in multiple recent decisions, local planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála have, in respect of similar proposed developments, regularly provided for an operational period of 5-years."

Lisdowney Wind Farm is located near the site of the existing mast, just across the Laois border into northern Kilkenny. However, Cullahill Wind Farm Limited noted that this is an entirely independent development and they cannot access the necessary data this mast is intended to gather "given the commercial sensitivities relating to wind speed data."

Laois County Council have now granted permission on a conditional basis for the operation of the mast for five years, commencing from the time of approval.

The decision has been granted despite well over 120 objections being lodged against the planning application by locals in the area.

A wide range of concerns were raised by residents near the site in Gorteennahilla. The mast has been described as a "nuisance and disruption to local residents". Among the issues raised, multiple objections noted the required red light at the top of the mast causing issues for nearby homes who are within eyeline of it. 

A large amount of the complaints argued that the mast was "unlawfully" erected without undergoing the proper planning procedures and with "complete disregard for the local people negatively impacted by it."

They also voiced their concerns with the fact that this is essentially preparing for the possibility of wind farm development in the area, which they said is not wanted nor permitted by Laois County Council's Development Plan.

Many local residents agreed that such a development, and even the operation of the mast alone, would pose a significant threat to biodiversity, the local environment and tourism on Cullahill Mountain. They also argued that the mast and future wind turbines would "devalue property, disrupt farming, and threaten local businesses."

Cullahill Wind Farm Limited responded to some of the objections within their more recently submitted planning documents.

In relation to the concerns about the potential wind farm development, they said: "It is further noted that the observations, in large part, do not relate to matters relevant to the subject proposed development but, instead, to the potential future development of a wind energy development at this general location and the planning policy and environmental matters and considerations arising from same.

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"As a consequence, and in the interests of brevity, as such matters are not relevant to the subject proposed development, a response has not been provided."

However, as one concerned local pointed out, this proposal is "clearly designed as a preparatory step" for such a development and so making it "inseparable from the wider project."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme