Offaly County Council grants permission for 87.9-hectare solar farm at Gallen, Co. Offaly

In context

It is one of 28 solar farm applications Offaly County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 329 nationally. Of the 569 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 20 June 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

The installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) farm, including a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) consisting of 48no. units and provision of a bridge crossing the Silver River, on 87.96Ha./217.37 acres of lands comprising 18no. agricultural fields on two separate land parcels within the townlands of Lumcloon and Falsk, Gallen Co. Offaly (E: 613500; N: 720000 – centre of site). The solar farm will consist of a series solar photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on steel support structures to a height not greater than 3.00m. Development ancillary to the siting of solar PV panels includes 19no. transformers; pole-mounted CCTV cameras; underground cabling; deer fenceline measuring 2.00m high; a proposed 5.00m wide graded track between an existing site entrance and BESS; internal access tracks; widening of 2no. existing field entrances and all associated development. Two temporary compounds, measuring 5250sqm approx. in overall area, will be established during the construction phase of the solar farm. The planning permission will have a duration of 10-years, with a subsequent operational lifetime of 40- years, after which it will be decommissioned with all associated lands returned to their original use excluding the Silver River bridge crossing, which shall be retained. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and submitted in support of this planning application.