211444
a Synchronous Compensator (Electricity Grid stabilisation) development within the townland of Windgates, Co. Kildare within a site area of approximately 1.97 hectares. Permission is sought for 1 High Intertia Synchronous Compensator (HISC) Compound (0.25 hectares) consisting of 1 No. High Intertia Synchronous Compensator (HISC) building enclosed within a steel clad framed, housed structure (12.1m max height and 481 m2) and supported by an electrical container area measuring 355m2 consisting of 8 No. electrical equipment containers with a total area of (238m2), each container measuring 29.75m2, and an external cooler area measuring 180m2 consisting of 4 No. external cooler units, each one measuring 30.5m2, 1 Auxiliary and Start up Static Frequency Converter SFC Transformer, 1 Generator circuit breaker, 1 emergency diesel generator and 1 associated diesel storage tank; A High Voltage (HV) Compound (0.11 hectares) consisting of main transformer and High Voltage (HV) equipment; A Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Building compound and underground grid connection (0.25 hectares) consisting of 1 High Voltage Gas Insulated Switchgear Compound (0.16 Hectares), included within this compound is a HV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) housed structure (13.5m max height and 458m2) and 220kv underground cable connection (188m in length) to adjacent (existing) 220kV Eirgrid Substation; Upgrade to the existing site entrance onto the R406, internal access tracks, fencing, temporary construction compound, landscaping and drainage. Planning permission is sought for a period of 10 years. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) accompanies this application. All within the townland of
Core Refusal Reason
The proposal was refused due to significant concerns regarding its negative visual impact on the local landscape and the failure to provide sufficient technical information concerning noise, landscaping, and traffic safety.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed layout and scale of the structures are considered to have a dominant and obtrusive visual impact on the R406 and L50664, which has not been adequately mitigated by the proposed design or screening.
- The application lacks comprehensive baseline and predictive noise data, making it impossible to ensure the protection of residential amenities at nearby noise-sensitive locations.
- Critical technical details regarding site access safety, including numerical sightlines and topographical surveys of boundaries, were not provided, representing a risk to traffic safety.