UFRC has been granted leave to Judicially Review a decision made by Mid and East Antrim Council to grant full planning permission for a seven turbine windfarm at Ballykeel near Larne.

The wind farm is sited adjacent to the Antrim Hills Way which is part of the Ulster Way long distance footpath. It is also within the Antrim Hills and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and lies close to the popular walking area at Sallagh Braes.

UFRC considers that the turbines will have a major visual impact in an area of acknowledged landscape character and sensitivity. It will greatly diminish the experience of walkers and other visitors and tourists to this area of the Antrim Hills.

UFRC’s grounds include that it does not consider that the Council adequately and properly assessed this impact, or followed fair and correct procedures when making its decision. Neither did it explain its reasons for not supporting the recommendation of its own officials to refuse planning permission, which was based on well established policy and expert opinion.

Mountaineering Ireland is supporting the UFRC in taking this action.