138.9-hectare solar farm proposed at Civil Parish of Galey, Co. Kerry

In context

It is one of 11 solar farm applications Kerry County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 337 nationally. Of the 573 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 Kerry County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

REDS III: The development will consist of a 10-year permission for a solar photovoltaic (PV) energy development on a site spanning approximately 138.9 hectares. It will consist of the construction of PV panels mounted on metal frames, 38 inverters, new access tracks, underground cabling, perimeter fencing with CCTV cameras and access gates, 4 temporary construction compounds, drainage infrastructure, landscaping and all ancillary electrical infrastructure and associated works. A separate application for the associated grid route and future 110kV substation will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) as these proposed elements fall within the Strategic Infrastructure Development consent process under Section 182A of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).The Application Site will be accessed from four new access points off the R553, L6029 and L6028 and one existing access point off the L6037. The development is designed to operate for 40 years from the date of commissioning. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will accompany the planning application.