Dungiven area community demands council action on Magheramore Wind Farm approval

Residents of the Dungiven and Roe Valley area are both 'deeply angered and alarmed' by the Planning Appeals Commission’s (PAC) decision to overturn the earlier refusal of the Magheramore Wind Farm by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

“This is a deeply flawed decision by the PAC. If this PAC decision is left unchallenged, it will set a very dangerous precedent with very grave consequences going forward for the whole CCG Council area, and other council areas too. Causeway Coast and Glens Council must proceed immediately to initiate Judicial Review proceedings of this decision by the PAC,” said a community spokesperson.

“The CCG Council has a duty of care to its community to protect its assets that form the unique character of the Council area. Furthermore, it has a duty to safeguard the health, wellbeing and human rights of its community.”

It's understood the matter will be discussed at the Council Planning Committee meeting due to take place this Wednesday, August 27.

“We are calling on the community of this area and beyond to contact elected representatives of all parties before that date, to clearly state the importance and duty falling on CCG Council to defend their own good decision to refuse planning permission for this development, and to call for the immediate commencement of Judicial Review proceedings against the flawed decision of the PAC,” continued the spokesperson.

“This development proposal is for six industrial-scale, 150m (500 feet) high turbines near Banagher Glen to the south of Dungiven. It was rightfully rejected by CCG Council in 2023. Councillors unanimously voted against it after listening to an overwhelming number of local residents, Planning Officers, heritage bodies and various relevant experts, all of whom raised very serious concerns about the impacts of this proposed development.

“Subsequently, the developer appealed the decision of CCG Council to the PAC, who recently approved the development.”

A local resident added: “Our community has fought hard to protect Banagher and our heritage from this industrialisation. The PAC’s decision completely ignores the voices of local people and shows that our council’s refusal counts for nothing. This is about our rights and whether local democracy means anything at all.”