An Bord Pleanála has given the go-ahead to controversial plans for a solar farm across a 300ac site on farm land outside Kells in Co. Meath.
The appeals board has granted planning permission to Harmony Solar Meath Ltd. to erect up to 734,000m² of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on ground-mounted steel frames on two parcels of land at Milltown and Moyagher Lower, Cortown, Kells.
The appeals board granted a 10-year planning permission despite three appeals being lodged with An Bord Pleanala against Meath County Council’s decision to grant planning permission.
Approval for solar farm
The appeals board has granted planning permission for the solar farm to operate over 35 years after concluding that the scheme “would make a positive contribution to Ireland’s renewable energy requirements”.
One of the appeals was lodged by planning consultant, Hendrik W van der Kamp town planner on behalf of 63 local residents.
Appellant Pat Lynch of Battersea House, Proudstown Road, Navan, Co. Meath told the board that the loss of 300ac of good quality agricultural land would materially contravene an overriding goal in the Meath County Development Plan of providing for agriculture and rural development.
Lynch stated that this type of solar farm proposal replacing good quality agricultural land is being repeated at numerous rural locations in Co. Meath.
Edward Casserly, Moyagher, Cortown, Kells told the appeals board that he is in favour of renewable energy, but this application is vast in scale and in the wrong location.
An Bord Pleanala Conditions
There are 16 planning conditions attached to the grant of planning permission for the solar farem in Co. Meath.
An Bord Pleanála has stipulated that “on full or partial decommissioning of the solar farm, or if the solar farm ceases operation for a period of more than one year, the solar arrays, including foundations/anchors, and all associated equipment, shall be dismantled and removed permanently from the site”.
The developer must also facilitate an archaeological appraisal of the site.