The High Court has recently ruled against objectors who sought to challenge the planning permission granted for a proposed wind farm in southeast Clare. The wind farm, named Fahybeg, is set to feature eight turbines reaching a height of 579ft. RWE Renewables Ireland is behind the project, which will be located 1.5km from Bridgetown and 3.5km from O'Briensbridge. Despite objections from over 300 local residents, An Bord Pleanála approved the development in March 2024 after Clare County Council initially rejected the plans.

As part of the project, the developers have committed to establishing a Community Benefit Fund that will allocate up to €3.12m over the first 15 years of operation. This fund aims to have a positive impact on the socio-economic landscape of the area and beyond.

Following the approval by An Bord Pleanála, the Fahybeg Windfarm Opposition Group and individual Sean Conway brought a judicial review challenge to the High Court in an attempt to overturn the decision. However, Mr. Justice Richard Humphreys, overseeing the Planning and Environment Division of the High Court, dismissed all grounds of the challenge.

The objectors argued that the wind farm would violate the Development Plan by causing the loss of part of Ballymoloney Woods. Justice Humphreys disagreed, stating that the objections took an overly literal interpretation of the plan's objectives. He highlighted that only a small portion of established woodland would be affected by the project.

Additionally, the objectors claimed that property prices in the area would suffer due to the wind farm's presence. Justice Humphreys refuted this argument, noting the lack of concrete evidence linking the wind farm to a decline in property values.