Galway County Council grants permission for 81.9-hectare solar farm at Ballydonagh Cloonineen Skecoor Kiltormer, Co. Galway

In context

It is one of 12 solar farm applications Galway County 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 applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 27 August 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

for the development that will consist of a planning permission for a period of 10 years to construct & complete a Solar PV Energy development with a total site area of circa 81.9 hectares, to include, solar PV panels ground mounted on support structures, electrical transformer & inverter station modules, a substation, temporary construction compounds, internal access tracks, watercourse crossing infrastructure, security fencing, electrical cabling & ducting, interconnection cabling, CCTV & other ancillary infrastructure, drainage, additional landscaping & habitat enhancement as required & associated site development works. The solar farm would be operational for 35 years. A Natura Impact Statement will be submitted with this application