Plans for controversial Galway solar farm refused over ‘deficient and incomplete’ information
Planning permission for one of Ireland’s largest solar farm has been refused by Galway County Council after planners found significant shortcomings in the project submitted by the developer.
Galway County Council planning offices refused plans for the 239-hectare Belleville Solar Farm in Abbeyknockmoy and Monivea on September 30. The project was lodged by Power Capital Renewable Energy under the applicant name Heron Solar this summer.
Galway County Council cited a total fo 11 reasons to refuse planning permission. Among them, the council highlighted deficiencies in the information provided by the applicant, causing planners to conclude the application was “premature.”
“The inconsistencies within the technical assessments submitted, the lack of robust technical justification for the development at this location zoned ‘Less Likely Viable’ in the Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategy (LARES), and overall uncertainty regarding the proposed future application for the grid connection and substation, the Planning Authority cannot confidently assess the viability and integrity of the proposed development in this context,” the decision document states.
It continues: “Having regard to the submitted Site Layout Plan, which does not accurately demonstrate every location of all overhead lines traversing the site or demonstrate the appropriate separation distances required from the proposed ground-mounted PV layout.”
PCRE/Heron Solar did not conduct a consultation with ESB or EirGrid in relation to overhead power lines on the site which planners subsequently deemed a “safety hazard” on the development.
Galway County planners found the development would have adverse effects on the neighbouring Lough Corrib SAC while its grid connections would also negatively impact nearby roads.
Additionally, based on the submissions made by residents, county planners found that PCRE/Heron Solar did not have “sufficient legal estate or interest in the land” to use it for the proposed reasons.
The council added that “Having regard to the submission received from the DHLGH, the submitted Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Assessment is not in accordance with National Policy for protection of the archaeological resources and it is considered that the assessment process submitted is deficient and incomplete.”
The controversial development received a total of 375 submissions from residents objecting the project. Complaints within the submissions centered around landowner consent, public consultation, environmental concerns, and property value.
PCRE has until October 28 to appeal the decision to An Coimisúin Pleanála.