An Bord Pleanála has started hearing objections to a proposed wind farm project over a very large area near Glenties.
The hearing is expected to continue into next week
Straboy Wind Energy was granted planning permission by Donegal County Council to erect 22 wind turbines over a 474 hectare site covering six townlands near Glenties with 21 conditions attached.
The board has received 15 third parties objections to the permission and there were 64 observations made on it.
John Ward, one of the promoters of the wind farm, told the hearing in Glenties this morning that the wind speeds in the west and northwest of Ireland are the strongest in Europe.
He spoke of Ireland’s heavy dependence on imported fuels, the need for more renewable energy and said the project offers significant economic benefits.
The hearing is expected to continue into next week.
