2560560
for a proposed solar farm development which is located across the townlands of Ballycunneen, Drumline, Ballycasey More, Clonmoney West, Firgrove, and Ardkyle, in County Clare. The development will consist of: • Linear arrays of solar PV panels on ground mounted steel supported structures with associated cabling and ducting (including underground cable grid connection to the Drumline 110kV substation); • 2 no. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) locations associated with interconnecting cable routes; • 11 no. proposed single storey MV stations; • A co-located Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) installation (including 20 No. containers with cells and 5no. containers with PCS MV stations); • Site perimeter fencing; • Palisade double security gates at all temporary (3No.) and permanent (3 Nno.). site entrances; • Site access tracks including passing and turning bays; • On-site pole mounted CCTV cameras; • 2no. temporary construction compound/carpark/material storage areas with associated temporary site offices, parking areas and security fencing; • 8 no. steel storage containers; • 5 no. turning bays; • 3 no. temporary construction stage wheel wash systems; • Temporary soil storage areas; and • All associated and ancillary works. The proposed solar farm development spans a total site area measuring 98ha. Permission is sought for a period of 10 years with an operational period of 40 years. The total capacity of Solar PV on the site is estimated to be up to 60MW. The development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413). x YES NO If YES above, important to note that the planning application is subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply. An Appropriate Assessment Screening Report (AASR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared for this development and submitted with this planning application
Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to significant adverse visual impacts on the rural landscape, unacceptable risks to aviation safety at Shannon Airport, and inadequate assessment of cumulative environmental and ecological impacts on protected sites and species.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The dispersed and fragmented nature of the 98ha site across four non-contiguous parcels would result in a visually intrusive industrialised appearance that undermines the rural character of the area and prejudices the future orderly expansion of Shannon Town.
- The applicant failed to adequately demonstrate that potential glint and glare impacts could be effectively mitigated to ensure the safe operation of Shannon Airport and aviation safety.
- The submitted Natura Impact Statement and EIA screening were deemed insufficient as they failed to provide a robust cumulative impact assessment regarding habitat loss for protected species, such as the Curlew and various bat species, in combination with other large-scale renewable projects in the vicinity.