3.1-hectare solar farm proposed at Rahoon Knocknacarra, Galway city

In context

It is one of 5 solar farm applications Galway City Council has received in the past twelve months, against 333 nationally. Of the 572 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

The five-week window for public submissions has closed. The council normally decides within eight weeks of the application being lodged, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Galway City Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

Permission for development which consists of:- A commercial development on a total site area of 3.1 ha, comprised of: 1.Block A: a 1-2 storey retail block with a gross floor area of 3721 sq.m, comprising of: a. a convenience retail store, to include off-license use, (including warehouse and welfare block) and a net retail floor area of 2721 sq.m; b.1 no. retail unit; 2.Block B: a 2-3 storey mixed use development with a gross floor area of 2055 sq.m comprised of: a.Gym Space; b.5 no. retail units; c.Community Space; 3.Block C: a 2-3-storey, mixed use development (gross floor area of 1537 sq.m) comprised of: a.6 no. office/retail/medical units and ancillary plant, maintenance space; 4.1 no. covered bicycle storage unit (44 no. cycle spaces), 38 no. standard cycle parking spaces and 4 no. cargo bike parking spaces, with 16 no. dedicated staff cycle spaces; 5.172 surface car parking spaces (including 9 no. universal access and 8 no. quick EV charging spaces); 6.Provision of 2 no. new vehicular access points along Altan Road; 7.Upgrades to cycling and pedestrian infrastructure from Western Distributor Road along Altan Road; 8.Erection of surface mounted backlit retail signage, including 2 no. surface mounted backlit entry wall signage and 2 no. totem signage (max height 5500mm); 9.Site lighting, deposit return facilities, roof mounted solar PV, ESB substation, site landscaping and all ancillary site development and enabling works. The application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS).