Planning Application

In March 2023, RES submitted a planning application for the Carnbuck Wind Farm, located in the townlands of Carnbuck, Magheraboy and Moneyneagh, near Corkey, Co. Antrim, adjacent to the existing Gruig Wind Farm.

In January 2025, RES submitted Further Environmental Information (FEI) for Carnbuck Wind Farm in response to queries raised by statutory consultees.

Electronic copies of the planning application and FEI can be viewed or downloaded by clicking on the links below.

Volume 1

• Non-technical Summary
• Design and Access Statement
• Pre-application Community Consultation Report
• Pre-application Community Consultation Report Appendices A
• Pre-application Community Consultation Report Appendices B

Volume 2 - Main Text

• Chapter 1: Introduction and Proposed Development
• Chapter 2: Planning Policy
• Chapter 3: Design Evolution and Alternatives
• Chapter 4: Landscape and Visual
• Chapter 5: Archaeology
• Chapter 6: Vegetation and Peatland
• Chapter 7: Terrestrial Fauna
• Chapter 8: Ornithology
• Chapter 9: Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology
• Chapter 10: Geology and Water Environment
• Chapter 11: Acoustic Assessment
• Chapter 12: Traffic & Transport
• Chapter 13: Shadow Flicker & Reflected Light
• Chapter 14: Socioeconomics
• Chapter 15: Summary of Mitigation

Volume 3 - Figures

Introduction and Proposed Development

• Fig 1.1 Location Plan
• Fig 1.2 Application Boundary
• Fig 1.3 Infrastructure Layout
• Fig 1.4 Turbine Elevation
• Fig 1.5 Control Building Compound Layout
• Fig 1.6 Control Building Elevation
• Fig 1.7 Substation Elevations
• Fig 1.8 Energy Storage Plan
• Fig 1.9 Typical BESS
• Fig 1.10 Site Entrance
• Fig 1.11 Typical Access Track Design
• Fig 1.12 Temporary Construction Compound Layout
• Fig 1.13 Temporary Construction Compound Elevation
• Fig 1.14 Wind Turbine Foundation
• Fig 1.15 Crane Hardstanding General Arrangement
• Fig 1.16 Cable
• Fig 1.17 Typical Drainage Details
• Fig 1.18 Typical Water Crossing
• Fig 1.19 Typical Bottomless Culvert

Design Evolution and Alternatives

• Fig 3.1 Turbine Layout Evolution
• Fig 3.2 Infrastructure Design Evolution
• Fig 3.3 Combined Constraints and Infrastructure Layout

Landscape and Visual Impact

• Fig 4.1 - Landscape Designations and Classifications
• Fig 4.2 - Landscape Character Areas
• Fig 4.3 - Viewpoint SelectionFig 5.4 - Heritage Assets within 10km Outer Study Area
• Fig 4.4 - Cumulative Baseline
• Fig 4.5 - Comparative Zone of Theoretical Visibility, 180 m vs 150 m blade tip heights 30km radius
• Fig 4.6 - ZTV 15km Radius Blade Tip Height
• Fig 4.6 - ZTV 15km Radius Hub Height
• Fig 4.7 - ZTV 30km Radius Blade Tip Height
• Fig 4.7 - ZTV 30km Radius Hub Height
• Fig 4.8 - Reverse ZTV 15km Radius Blade Tip Height
• Fig 4.8 - Reverse ZTV 30km Radius Blade Tip Height
• Fig 4.9 - Cumulative ZTV Existing and Consented Cluster of Wind Farms at Gruig 30km
• Fig 4.9 - Cumulative ZTV Existing and Consented Wind Farms 30km
• Fig 4.9 - Cumulative ZTV Proposed Wind Farms 30km
• Fig 4.10 - Viewpoint 1
• Fig 4.11 - Viewpoint 2
• Fig 4.12 - Viewpoint 3
• Fig 4.13 - Viewpoint 4
• Fig 4.14 - Viewpoint 5
• Fig 4.15 - Viewpoint 6
• Fig 4.16 - Viewpoint 7
• Fig 4.17 - Viewpoint 8
• Fig 4.18 - Viewpoint 9
• Fig 4.19 - Viewpoint 10
• Fig 4.20 - Viewpoint 11
• Fig 4.21 - Viewpoint 12
• Fig 4.22 - Viewpoint 13
• Fig 4.23 - Viewpoint 14
• Fig 4.24 - Viewpoint 15
• Fig 4.25 - Viewpoint 16
• Fig 4.26 - Viewpoint 17
• Fig 4.27 - Viewpoint 18
• Fig 4.28 - Viewpoint 19
• Fig 4.29 - Viewpoint 20
• Fig 4.30 - Viewpoint 21
• Fig 4.31 - Viewpoint 22

Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

• Fig 5.1 - Heritage Assets within Inner Study Area
• Fig 5.2 - Zoom in Showing Heritage Assets Near Aghanageeragh River
• Fig 5.3 - Heritage Assets within 2-5km Outer Study Areas
• Fig 5.4 - Heritage Assets within 10km Outer Study Area
• Fig 5.5 - Heritage Asset ANT 023009 Gruig, standing stone
• Fig 5.6 - Heritage Asset ANT 023010 Scotchomerbane, standing stone
• Fig 5.7 - Heritage Asset ANT 018015 and ANT 018095 Corkey North, standing stones
• Fig 5.8 - Heritage Asset ANT 108085 Corkey North, standing stone
• Fig 5.9 - Heritage Asset ANT 108088 Ballyveely Upper, standing stone
• Fig 5.10 - Heritage Asset ANT 027010 Dundermot, motte
• Fig 5.11 - Heritage Asset ANT 027036 Dungall, motte
• Fig 5.12 - Heritage Asset ANT 018019 Knockaholet, motte and bailey
• Fig 5.13 - Heritage Asset ANT 027022 Doonbought, fortification
• Fig 5.14 - Heritage Assets Lissanoure Historic Park and Garden and Lissanoure Castle
• Fig 5.15 - Heritage Asset Ballymacaldrack, 'Dooey's Cairn', court tomb

Vegetation and Peatland

• Fig 6.1 - Designated Sites within 10km
• Fig 6.2 - JNCC Phase One Habitat Survey Map
• Fig 6.3 - Target Notes
• Fig 6.4 - NVC Phase Two Habitat Survey Map
• Fig 6.5 - Quadrat Locations
• Fig 6.6 - Habitat Management Area

Terrestrial Fauna

• Fig 7.1 - Static Monitoring Locations
• Fig 7.2 - Badger and Otter Survey Results
• Fig 7.3 - Lizard Survey Results

Ornithology

• Fig 8.1 - Ornithology Viewpoint Coverage
• Fig 8.2 - Locations of Red Grouse Observations
• Fig 8.3 - Locations of Snipe Territories
• Fig 8.4 - Locations of Breeding Moorland Passerines
• Fig 8.5 - Locations of Breeding Moorland Passerines
• Fig 8.6 - Locations of Golden Plovers (Winter Season)
• Fig 8.7 - Hen Harrier Flightlines
• Fig 8.8 - Merlin and Peregrine Flightlines
• Fig 8.9 - Flightlines For Other Annex 1 Raptor
• Fig 8.10 - Kestrel Flightlines
• Fig 8.11 - Buzzard Flightlines

Fisheries

• Fig 9.1 - Overview of Site Location in Relation to Key River Catchments
• Fig 9.2 - Distribution and Abundance of Aged 0 Salmon in DAERA Survey Sites
• Fig 9.3 - Distribution and Abundance of Aged 0 Trout in DAERA Survey Sites
• Fig 9.4 - Locations of Fish and Stream Quality Survey Sites
• Fig 9.5 - Aged 0 Trout Abundance Classes at Survey Sites

Geology and Water Environment

• Fig 10.1 - Site Hydrology
• Fig 10.2 - Site Water Quality Assessment
• Fig 10.3 - Designated Sites
• Fig 10.4 - Internal Catchments

Acoustic Assessment

• Fig 11.1 - Noise Footprint for Proposed Development
• Fig 11.2 - Cumulative Noise Footprint
• Fig 11.3 - Predicted Energy Storage Sound Footprint

Traffic and Transport

• Fig 12.1 - Turbine Delivery Route Overview
• Fig 12.2 - HGV Delivery Routes Overview

Shadow Flicker

• Fig 13.1 - Shadow Flicker Assessment
• Fig 13.2 - Cumulative Shadow Flicker

Volume 4 - Technical Appendices

• Proposed Development A
• Proposed Development B
• Landscape and Visual Impact
• Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
• Vegetation and Peatland
• Terrestrial Fauna
• Ornithology
• Surface Water Management Plan Annex A
• Surface Water Management Plan Annex B
• Flood Risk and Drainage Assessment Appendix A
• Flood Risk and Drainage Assessment Appendix B
• Flood Risk and Drainage Assessment Appendix C
• Peat Slide Risk Assessment A
• Peat Slide Risk Assessment B
• Outline Peat Management Plan
• Consultee Responses
• Acoustic Assessment A
• Acoustic Assessment B
• Traffic and Transport A
• Traffic and Transport B

A hard copy of the application can be viewed at the Loughgiel Millennium Centre, 35 Lough Road, Loughgiel, BT44 9JN, please contact the centre for opening days and times.

Further Environmental Information

In January 2025, RES submitted Further Environmental Information (FEI) for Carnbuck Wind Farm in response to queries raised by statutory consultees.

The FEI Main Report can be viewed or downloaded by clicking on the link below:

Carnbuck FEI 2025 - Combined.pdf

Hard copies of the FEI are available for inspection during normal opening hours and for purchase at The Millennium Centre, 35 Lough Road, Loughgiel, County Antrim, BT44 9JN, Phone: 028 7641389. The FEI (on USB stick) and hard copies of the FEI Non-Technical Summary are available free of charge as long as stocks last. Hard Copies of the FEI can be obtained at a cost of £20 from the Millennium Centre so long as stocks last. If you have any queries regarding the above please contact us.

Reasons to support the Carnbuck Wind Farm proposal

Delivering local jobs and investment

The renewables industry continued to deliver investment and jobs during the previous downturn and during the current economic crisis, with the ever-growing threat of climate change and the catastrophic impacts that it could have, it is more important than ever that we invest in a green economic recovery. Carnbuck Wind Farm is predicted to deliver approximately £30 million into Northern Ireland’s economy, if consented.

Cheapest form of renewable energy

Renewable energy is vital towards our transition to net zero and wind, being a free and inexhaustible resource has an important role to play as part of a balanced energy mix. Research from BEIS¹ clearly shows that onshore wind, alongside large scale solar, are the cheapest electricity generating technologies available. This makes onshore wind development, like Carnbuck good for the environment and the consumer.
Northern Ireland consumers avoided paying £500 million to import gas last year because wind farms provided nearly 42% of our electricity².

Helping to tackle climate change

Northern Ireland’s Climate Bill sets a target of 80% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2030, and it is expected that 65% of this will need to come from onshore wind. If consented, Carnbuck Wind Farm would be capable of generating 50.4MW of clean, low cost electricity, equivalent to the electricity usage of around 55,000³ homes each year.

Strengthening security of supply

A key policy driver for the development of renewable energy in Northern Ireland is the need to increase security of supply. There are also potential adverse impacts on local populations and the economy through high volatile fuel costs, contributing to fuel poverty and high energy costs for businesses and industry. In addition, increasing focus on renewable energy can deliver environmental and climate change gains, reductions in carbon emissions, as well as investment and employment opportunities. With a lack of indigenous fossil fuels and no nuclear power stations, Northern Ireland is keen to develop the full range of its available renewable energy resources to optimise the contribution that renewables make to the overall energy mix.

Built by a known and reputable developer

RES has been building wind farms in Ireland since the early 1990s with an office in Larne, employing over 20 local people. They have been involved in developing and or constructing 22 onshore wind farms in Northern Ireland, totaling 379MW. In addition, RES operates 159MW of wind capacity across Northern Ireland, has secured planning permission for a further 108MW awaiting construction, and has a further 131MW of projects in the planning system.

RES also have a strong track record within Northern Ireland of consulting and working closely with the local community, key stakeholders, and the local supply chain to deliver projects which maximise much-needed inward investment. At sites recently constructed near Limavady, some 16 NI based contractors and suppliers were used during the construction phase.

If, having read the above, you would like to support the Carnbuck Wind Farm proposal, you can do so by submitting a comment on the Planning Portal. The planning reference is SPD/2023/0951/F.


^{1 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6556027d046ed400148b99fe/electricity-generation-costs-2023.pdf
2 https://renewableni.com/wind-saves-ni-500m-in-2022
3 The homes figure has been calculated by taking the predicted annual electricity generation of the site (based on RES assessments Carnbuck has a predicted capacity factor of 46.75%) and dividing this by the annual average electricity figures from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) showing that the annual UK average domestic household consumption is 3,748 kWh (Dec 2021).}