Galway County Council grants permission for 7.8-hectare solar farm at Rindifin, Gort Community School, 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 Refurbishment and Extension. The proposed development includes the following - i) Construction of a three-storey school extension c.5,878m2 to provide teaching spaces and school support facilities including a three classroom Special Education Unit, ii) Construction of link building connecting the existing school building with three-storey school extension at first floor level, iii) Refurbishment and extension of existing single and two storey school building including part demolition of single storey block to provide central assembly space, iv) Refurbishment and extension of the standalone single-storey building known as ‘The Covid Building’ including modifications to building elevations to provide a multi-use hall and ground floor connection to the adjacent two-storey building known as ‘The Noone Building’, v) Refurbishment and part demolition of standalone two-storey building known as ‘The Noone Building’ including modification to building elevations to provide changing facilities, fitness suite, WC’s and all associated teaching facilities and circulation, vi) Construction of new access roadway and bus set-down including new access to school grounds from Circular Road and relocated entrance to the public playground from the new access roadway, vii)Construction of 5no. multi-use ballcourts, viii) Construction of ESB Sub-Station , ix) New car parking layout to school site including provision for E.V. car parking spaces, x) Relocation of southern boundary wall to playground car parking including removal of existing access to Circular Road and revised playground car parking layout, xi) New boundary treatments to site boundaries, xii) Relocation of 3.no existing temporary accommodation units on site, xiii) Ancillary site works including the formation and landscaping of central courtyard/sensory garden, covered bicycle storage, underground attenuation tank; roof mounted photovoltaic panels; new entrance fencing and gates; hard and soft landscaping and public lighting and associated ancillary site development works. A Natura Impact Statement will be submitted to the planning authority with the application. Gross floor space of proposed works: 5878.00 sqm. Gross floor space of any demolition: 1,156.00 sqm