Opponents of a wind farm planned for one of West Cork's most scenic areas, Gougane Barra, are celebrating after winning their High Court challenge.

The community group Coiste Forbartha Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh said An Bord Pleanála has confirmed it will not contest or oppose the case, and that it will consent to the High Court quashing the planning permission granted.

The group had launched a judicial review of ABP's decision to grant permission to Wingleaf Ltd for the biggest wind turbines ever proposed in Co. Cork.

ABP gave the green light to the €30m project in February after it had been rejected by Cork County Council.

The planned development involved the construction of seven turbines up to 178 metres high, which would be visible on the Gougane Barra skyline - something the community group said would "alter the magic and tranquillity of this unique place of peace and pilgrimage forever".

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Campaign spokesman Neil Lucey, of the Gougane Barra Hotel, said: "The decision to go to the High Court came on foot of massive opposition to the shock decision by An Bord Pleanála to overturn Cork County Council's refusal of the proposal.

"We are delighted with this great result. We feel that justice has been done, common sense prevails, and democracy has been restored."

Over 12,000 people, many of them from outside ireland, had signed the group's petition to stop the wind farm.

In its refusal, Cork County Council had said that the development would materially contravene the objectives of the county development plan and "would be excessively domineering from very many vantage points over a wide area".