Tipperary residents ‘deeply disappointed’ as controversial solar farm granted permission
A controversial solar farm in Tipperary has been granted planning permission on appeal, despite strong opposition from local residents – a decision that has been described as “deeply disappointing”.
An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly An Bord Pleanála) have given the green light to Power Capital Renewable Energy Limited for the construction of a solar farm near the village of Dualla.
Tipperary County Council originally granted permission for the development, which was appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála by seven community groups and residents, including Dualla Together, Dualla Village Preschool, Kelly Reay, Conor and Kate Breen, and Enda Howley.
The appeals centred around several issues, including that the development would present a risk to drinking water, that it would have a significant impact on the learning environment for children in the area, that the size of the proposed development wasn’t justified by the applicant, that the plans should be deemed invalid, that the solar farm would have an extreme impact on the visual amenity of the surrounding area, and that the solar farm could lead to flooding on other lands in the area.
In response, Power Capital said that with a revised layout, there would be no risk to the Dualla Public Water Supply, that the solar panels would have a minimal impact on the natural environment, and that one of the appellants used “selective extracts from plans” to say that the plans should be deemed invalid.
The planning appeals board granted permission for the development, saying that it would be in accordance with national, European and regional policies in relation to renewable energy.
The inspector from An Coimisiún Pleanála said that the development would “not seriously injure the visual or residential amenities of the area or otherwise of property in the vicinity or have an unacceptable impact on the character of the landscape or cultural or archaeological heritage, and would not have a significant adverse impact on ecology”.
The development also “would not have a significant adverse impact on water quality, would be acceptable in terms of traffic impacts and safety and would make a positive contribution to Ireland's renewable energy and security of energy supply requirements,” the inspector added.
The application was granted subject to 24 conditions, including that the planning permission for the operation of the development only be for 40 years from when they are commissioned, that noise levels during construction not exceed a certain level, and that building works only take place between the hours of 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 2pm on Saturdays.
In response to the granting of permission, Dualla Together said they were “deeply disappointed” with the decision.
"While the decision is deeply disappointing, in many ways it does not come as a surprise. The planning approval with twenty-four planning conditions are now being reviewed in detail to fully understand their implications for our local environment, infrastructure and quality of life,” they said.
"It is important to note that this permission pertains solely to the lands designated and works associated with the solar arrays. We have not been informed or aware of any associated plans for the necessary substation / battery storage infrastructure, which we understand will require a separate application to An Coimisiún Pleanála,” they added.