Plans to construct a proposed wind farm on the Laois-Kilkenny border have been refused by the Laois County Council.
The planning notice by Seskin Renewable Energy Limited had outlined plans for the construction of the eight turbines with a tip height of 175 metres, a rotor blade diameter of 150m, and hub height of 100m, along with a substation and a 100m meteorological mast.
The company had said the project would power 36,000 homes. They were seeking a 10-year planning permission and a 35-year operational life from the date of commissioning.
Two communities on the Laois-Kilkenny border had said they were concerned about the environmental and health impacts of a proposed wind project in their area.
The 'NoToSeskinWindFarm' group said they were blindsided just months ago by plans to build eight "mega turbines", stretching from Ballyragget to Durrow, impacting on the communities and people who live there.
The action group, which is made up of people from the communities of Durrow, Co Laois, and Ballinaslee, Co Kilkenny, is one of a number of groups across the midlands that have protested against large wind farms in their communities.
Last year, the Government promised that new planning guidelines for wind farms would be introduced by the end of the year, but that has not happened.
Guidelines pertaining to wind farm energy date back to 2006, pending finalisation of an ongoing review.
