Roscommon County Council grants permission for 59.7-hectare solar farm at Yew Point Hodson Bay, Barrymore Kiltoom Athlone, Co. Roscommon

In context

It is one of 9 solar farm applications Roscommon County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 351 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 12 January 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

Permission for development consisting of: a) Conservation and protection of all existing woodland areas and the natural environment as a fundamental objective of the development, b) Regeneration of the former woodland areas towards the centre of the Yew Point peninsula, now largely depleted following generations of agricultural activity, with the extensive planting of native tree species of Irish provenance, c) Construction of 36 no. timber eco-cabins providing 12 no. family cabins and 24 no. two-person cabins raised on stilts above ground levels, to conserve existing ground conditions and preserve through routes for movement of wildlife. The cabins arranged in five clusters confined to the southern portion of the lands, carefully respond to their specific site context, respecting existing woodlands and topographical conditions, d) Provision of 4 no. timber guest shelters distributed across the site, and a covered shelter to facilitate the charging and storing of electric golf buggies, e) Extension and refurbishment of the existing building/shop, with minor internal reconfigurations and the upgrading of the exterior with slatted timber screens, new doors and windows and a covered deck area, f) Construction of an Environmental Induction Area to facilitate the immersion of guests in environmental topics and the principles of fully sustainable living, and inform them, specifically, on the ecology and biodiversity of the Yew Point/Lough Ree area, g) All cabins and other new structures are designed to minimise environmental impact and disruption through the off-site fabrication of the main components, careful siting and reversible forms of construction. Materials of low embedded carbon are to be used and operational carbon is minimised through the use of renewable sources of energy. Surface water run-off is dealt with by strategically located Rain Gardens to filter and slowly release rainwater into the ground, h) Sustainable energy sources with the use of renewable solar photovoltaic panels as the primary source of energy generation for the entire development, i) Provision of slatted timber entrance gate structure to provide vehicular access and a covered pedestrian entrance with related signage, j) Construction of 1 no. reinforced "Grass-crete" surfaced car park at the existing site entrance providing 48 no. car parking spaces in total (1 no. car parking space per cabin and 12 no. staff car parking spaces). The car parking provision includes 10 no. EV charg