116-hectare solar farm proposed at Monksland Bellanamullia Cloonakille, Co. Roscommon

In context

It is one of 9 solar farm applications Roscommon 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 Roscommon County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

Permission for a 10-year planning permission for development at this site at Esker, Cuilmore, Cloonrallagh, Corraree and Ballygatta, Newtown, Ardnanure, Curraghaleen, Cloonakille, Rooskagh, Bellanamullia and Monksland Co. Roscommon. This development will consist of the construction of a Solar PV development, an on-site 38kV Substation and Battery Energy Storage System, along with associated 38kV underground cable connecting the proposed Solar PV Farm and BESS to the existing Athlone ESB 110kV Substation and all associated works on a total area of ca. 116 hectares. The Solar Farm, 38kV substation and Battery Energy Storage System will be located on a site that is ca. 110ha and located within the townlands of Esker, Cuilmore, Cloonrallagh, Corraree and Ballygatta, Co. Roscommon and will consist of: I. Solar PV panels laid out in arrays across the Site of ca. 110ha on ground-mounted frames; II. 48 BESS units; III. 15 transformer units; IV. One 38kV substation building (13.7m x 7.3m); V. Underground electrical and communications cabling within private lands and minor local road; VI. Polemounted security cameras; VII. Perimeter security fencing (2m high) and security gates; VIII. Three new entrances and upgrade works of one existing entrance; IX. Two primary temporary construction compounds and three satellite temporary construction compounds; X. 16 new drainage ditch crossings and one upgraded culvert; XI. Internal access tracks between the solar arrays and the site entrances ; and, XII. All associated ancillary site development, landscaping and reinstatement works. The 38kV underground cabling will be located on a site that is ca. 6ha and will traverse the townlands of Monksland, Bellanamullia, Cloonakille, Rooskagh, Curraghaleen, Cloonrollagh, Ardnanure, Newtown and Cuilmore, Co. Roscommon and will consist of: I. Ca. 9.56km of underground 38kV cable, three power cables and one fibre communications, beneath private and public roads (L76371, L76374, L76394, L2047, L2026, L7577, L75771 and R362); II. 12 Joint Bays; III. Two HDD Crossings; IV. Associated works including road carriageway passing places; and, V. All associated ancillary works above and below ground. The operational lifespan of the development will be 40 years, and planning permission is requested for this duration. A Natura Impact Statement accompanies the planning application. This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable