23/4234
Permission is sought for Island Stability Services Limited are applying for a 10 year planning permission to develop a low carbon inertia services (LCIA) grid support facility, which will connect to the adjoining ESB Knockraha 220kV Electricity Substation. The proposed development will have a projected life span of 50 years. The development is to be located within a site compound c. 2.2 ha and will consist of the following elements: The development and operation of a 150 to 500 MVA (electrical rating) synchronous condenser. Compound building housing synchronous condenser generator and flywheel (c.512m2 c.12m high); Customer substation (c.250m2 c.7m high) and TSO substation (c.375m2 c.9m high), Cooling equipment, 6 No. modular containers to house electrical and control equipment, generator step-up transformer, auxiliary transformer and electrical plant including an external circuit breaker; 1 no. firefighting water tank and pump, boundary fencing (c.3m high) and CCTV, connection to the neighbouring ESB Substation and all other ancillary site works including access roads.
Core Refusal Reason
Failure to provide a comprehensive Archaeological Impact Assessment and cumulative impact assessment, resulting in a material contravention of heritage protection policies.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to submit a comprehensive Archaeological Impact Assessment, including trench testing, necessary to safeguard the archaeological heritage of the area.
- The absence of a cumulative impact assessment prevents an informed determination under the EIAR Directive 2014/52/EU.
- The proposed development materially contravenes policy objectives HE 16-9 and HE 16-13 of the Cork County Development Plan (2022) regarding the protection of recorded and unrecorded archaeological sites.