A second attempt by Panda Power to build a solar farm in a rural area south of Slane, Co. Meath has been unsuccessful.

An Bord Pleanála has refused to overturn a decision by Meath County Council to turn down planning permission for the development at Newtown, Beaupark, Navan.

The land where the solar farm was proposed for, is currently flat agricultural land used for tillage.

The proposed development comprised a three megawatt (MW) solar farm on an 8.5 hectare site with a 30-year lifespan.

Work on the development would have included setting up photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames; a single storey ESB sub-station; three transformers; perimeter fencing and pole-mounted CCTV cameras; an upgrade of the existing vehicle entrance and associated site works and services.

Initial refusal

  • Earlier this year (January 2020), Meath County Council decided to refuse permission for four reasons:
     Intensification of use of an existing entrance to the N2, precedent could lead to proliferation;
  •  Contrary to policy;
  •  Intensification of use of an existing entrance to the N2;
  • Internal layout could disorientate users on the heavily trafficked N2, particularly during hours of dusk and create a traffic hazard.

Grounds for appeal

Panda Power appealed that decision to the higher planning authority – An Bord Pleanála.

The company argued that there would be no intensification of use during the operational phase and closure of the north eastern entrance. It said that the lands would be used for sheep grazing during the operational stage.

The appeal also pointed out that the lands are in agricultural use for cereal growth, with about 59.64t of cereal grown on this site during a typical year, which is planted, treated, harvested and transported by large tractors fitted with or pulling heavy agricultural equipment that access the site over the six-month growing season.

In fact, the company argued that there would be a decrease in traffic movements over a 20-year period when comparing agricultural use with solar farm development use.

An Bord Pleanála decision

The higher planning board has made a decision to uphold Meath County Council’s refusal of planning permission.

In its decision it states: “The board cannot be satisfied that the proposed development individually, or in combination with other plans or projects would not be likely to have a significant effect on European sites: the River Boyne and River Blackwater Special Area of Conservation and the River Boyne and River Blackwater Special Protection Area or any other European site.

An Bord Pleanála also ruled that the information provided in the appeal did not provide enough evidence that the solar farm development would not seriously injure the visual and residential amenities of property in the vicinity, or have a significant effect on the site ecology and biodiversity and landscape of the area.

It also wasn’t satisifed that the use of the proposed site entrance by construction traffic and the impact arising from glint and glare would not endanger traffic safety on the N2.