North East Galway solar farm sparks opposition
County Council to decide on project next month
IN the region of 150 submissions have been made regarding the Blackthorn Solar Farm project that is planned for over 200acres of land in the North East Galway region.
The development that would have an operational lifespan of 40 years is proposed for 229acres (93hectares) of land in the townlands of Knockdoemore, Lackagh Beg, Knockdoebeg West and Cahernashilleeny, in the vicinity of the Turloughmore and Claregalway GAA grounds.
Galway County Council received a planning application from Blackthorn Solar Farm Ltd, a subsidiary of BayWa r.e. Ireland Ltd, last month for the project.
Most of the submissions have come from local residents, including TV presenter Hector Ó hEochagáin. The Lackagh-Knockdoe Solar Action Group, formed in response to the plans for the Blackthorn Solar Farm project, lodged four submissions. Turloughmore Hurling Club and Turloughmore Camogie Club, the Board of Management of Scoil Náisiúnta Bhríde NS in Lackagh, Gas Networks Ireland, and several elected representatives – including TDs, Senators and Councillors – also made submissions.
Several concerns raised
Among the concerns raised in the many submissions were road safety issues resulting from the proposed solar farm’s proximity to Scoil Náisiúnta Bhríde NS and the church in Lackagh village, and the possible disruptions to local roads in the area such as the R354, the N83 and the L21332.
Other issues raised were gas pipeline safety in the area, the 110kV substation to be built along with the solar farm, drainage and flood risk to land, noise during the construction and operation of the solar farm, and the public consultation process ahead of the planning application’s lodgement.
The potential impact the project would have on community amenities such as the Knockdoemore-Lackagh walkway was highlighted, as was glint and glare from the PV (Photovoltaic) solar panels, the long-term visual effects of the development, and loss of privacy for adjacent properties due to the installation of CCTV cameras.
Electricity for the national grid
According to the planning application, the Blackthorn Solar Farm project has the potential to produce up to 69MW of electricity for the national grid. Access to the site would be gained from entrances on the N83 and L21332. The solar farm would be connected to an existing overhead line via the 110kV substation.
Council planners have until November 20 to decide on the proposal. Planning permission was recently refused by the local authority for the large-scale Belville Solar Farm project on nearly 600acres of land in Ballyglunin, Abbeyknockmoy and Monivea.