Appeal lodged against refusal for 600-acre Belville Solar Farm

THE refusal of planning permission for a largescale solar farm in the Ballyglunin, Abbeyknockmoy and Monivea areas has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Heron Solar Ltd’s application for the extensive Belville Solar Farm development was turned down by Galway County Council last month. However, the applicant has now appealed this and is seeking for the decision to be overturned.

County Council planners refused permission citing 11 grounds. These included a lack of legal consent from local landowners, an inadequate environmental impact assessment and the absence of detailed designs for the PV panels.

The decision also referenced an incomplete archaeology and cultural heritage assessment and the inclusion of land zoned 'less likely viable' in the Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategy (LARES).

Submissions

The proposed solar farm spanning almost 600 acres in Ballyglunin, Abbeyknockmoy, Monivea and surrounding townlands was first proposed by Power Capitals Renewable Energy (PCRE) (Heron Solar Ltd) in June last year.

It sparked considerable opposition from residents in the area and more than 300 submissions were lodged by residents, community groups and public representatives.

One of those groups, the Oakwood Residents Group, believes further submissions are needed to voice their concerns to An Coimisiún Pleanála. The group is holding a public meeting this evening (Wednesday) at 8pm in the Abbeyknockmoy Community Centre.

The appeal is currently being considered by An Coimisiún Pleanála and a decision is not expected until early next year.