Galway County Council refuses permission for 125-hectare solar farm at Cloghboley - Carrowgarriff Nth, Co. Galway

In context

It is one of 12 solar farm applications Galway County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 329 nationally. Of the 571 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 25 July 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 10-years for the development of a solar farm on a site of 125 hectares consisting of the following: 570,952sqm of solar photovoltaic panels on ground mounted steel frames; 18 hardstanding locations, with each containing 3no. electrical skids (each hardstanding location will be surrounded by a palisade fence & gates); underground power & communications cables & ducts, including cabling along the L-8560, L-4506, L-4505 & R347 public roads; 4 joint bays; new internal access tracks; a new access from the R347 public road; upgrade to existing access points along the L-4505 and R347 public roads; access gates; landscaping & biodiversity enhancement measures; security gates; boundary fencing & all associated ancillary development, site works & services. The solar farm will be operational for 40 years. A Natura Impact Statement will be submitted to the planning authority with the application