Enforcement notice issued following ‘unauthorised works’ on Galway land shown in solar farm project
An enforcement notice has been issued by Galway County Council for what it considers is unauthorised development works in Abbeyknockmoy, Co Galway.
The enforcement notice, given by Galway County Council to Kings Valley Farm Limited on March 16, claims unauthorised land clearance, pathways, and rock crushing on land in Oakwood South.
Photos of the works can be seen from the site inspection conducted on November 7, 2025.
The notice, seen by the Irish Independent, contain five separate addressees: Kings Valley Farm, Geraldine King, Amanda King as director and secretary, as well as Martin King as director.
The planning authority stated all works must cease within 24 hours of the notice being served, and remove any equipment being used within two weeks. In addition, any pathway laid must be removed within two weeks.
An archaeological report must be conducted on the land within a month of the notice as well.
Failure to comply with the requirements gives the planning authority permission to enter the lands and clear the works themselves, at the expense of the addressees. In addition, if the requirements are not rectified within no more than six months, charges can be brought.
Sources told the Irish Independent that works have been ongoing last year but that works have ceased, and the machines are no longer on the site.
The lands in Oakwood South are shown in plans for the major Belville solar project.
If approved, the solar farm will be the largest in Ireland, owned by French-backed Irish company Power Capital Renewable Energy (PCRE). No enforcement notice has been issued to it. Pre-planning consultations were conducted in June 2025 for the 700 to 900 acres proposal of solar farm and battery energy storage systems.
Records from the consultation were requested in June through the Freedom of Information Act but partially denied by Galway County Council stating the records “contain commercially sensitive information” and the documents could “prejudice the competitive positions” of other parties.
The proposed development area in Galway is spread across the townlands of Laragh Beg, Carrowreagh East, Caherlissakill, Lissaniska, Oakwood South, Cahernaglass, Carrowmore, Cashlaundarragh, Ryehill Demesne, Parkacurry, Ballynaboorkagh and Knockauncarragh.
In a statement to the Irish Independent, a spokesperson for PCRE said: "I can confirm that this matter has no connection to Power Capital, nor to any current or future plans of the company."
The Irish Independent reached out to Kings Construction, shareholders in King Valley Farm, for comment.