2010:377 - Coollegrean, Kerry

An impact assessment including a test excavation was commissioned in advance of submitting a planning application for the construction of eight wind turbines in the townland of Coollegrean near Brosna village in Co. Kerry. The wind farm is sited on upland marginal land mostly within extensive tracts of mature forestry.
A total of fifteen test-trenches were excavated over a three-day period mostly within the area of commercial forestry on Coollegrean Hill.
Access to the eight turbine locations within the forested areas proved difficult due to the presence of drainage channels and dense vegetation and tree cover. The excavation of the test-trenches within the dense tract of forestry required the destruction of mature trees and it was agreed that the excavation of two test-trenches at the turbine locations was not necessary, given the extremely disturbed nature of the ground and the presence of mature woodland. Two test-trenches were excavated outside the area of forestry in areas of marginal grassland. Where possible, the test-trenches measured 10–12m in length to incorporate the diameter of the turbine bases. The topsoil/peat deposits were removed with a wide toothless bucket to the level of the natural subsoil. The soil profile encountered in the forestry areas consisted of a deep layer of peat (average depth 1.5m) overlying a layer of grey marl (0.6m) and sandstone (0.6m). No features or finds of archaeological merit were noted in any of the proposed turbine locations.
It is proposed to place the site compound at the junction of two forest roadways in an area of stunted tree growth indicative of cutaway bog. This was established during the test excavation, which showed that the peat here has almost totally been removed to the surface of the grey marl. A single test-trench was placed north–south across the area of the proposed compound as the excavation of a second trench was deemed unnecessary given the disturbed ground conditions. The soil profile indicated a thin mixed layer of residual peat and grey marl overlying undisturbed grey stony marl. No features or finds of archaeological significance were encountered.
Access to the turbine locations will be gained predominantly via the existing forest road network and overgrown stretches of fire belts through the commercial forestry. Three test-trenches were placed in those areas of the proposed development where the access roads will involve the removal of undisturbed topsoil and peat. The soil profile was similar to that encountered at the turbine locations and no features or finds of archaeological merit were uncovered.