An Bord Pleanála gives the green light for Kinnegad solar farm development

An Bord Pleanala has given the green light for a solar farm on land between the M6 and M4 west of Kinnegad.

The planning authority has upheld Westmeath County Council's decision to grant planning permission to JBM Solar Developments Ltd for a solar farm with a generating capacity of 100MW. The application includes details for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on ground-mounted frames, underground cabling along the the R446, the L1007 and the L5008, 40 inverter/transformer units, one customer control building, “mammal friendly” security fencing and CCTV security cameras; as well as a new construction site entrance and road crossing point on the L5008 and widening of the local road R446.

The site is made up of a number of separate blocks and comprises lands in the townlands of Clonfad, Enniscoffey or Caran, Hightown or Ballyoughter, Lowtown or Balleighter, Pass of Kilbride and Rattan.

Sharon Griffith, Hightown, Coralstown and Geraldine McDermott “and others” objected to the application on a number of grounds.

According to the ABP report, Ms Griffith expressed concern that the development would impact the view from her kitchen window and asked that the field adjoining the site of her home be excluded from the overall development. She also claimed that the there were unknown health risks with a development of this scale, such as radio frequency radiation, and that the development would damage the character of the countryside and landscape.

In their appeal Geraldine McDermott and others expressed concerns about a number of issues, including the impact that the development would have on the area's rural character. They also expressed the view that it would impact negatively on neighbouring residential properties.

ABP said that it was granting permission – with 15 conditions attached - because it will “make a positive contribution to Ireland’s requirements for renewable energy”.

The board added that the development would “not have an unacceptable impact on the character of the landscape or on the cultural or archaeological heritage”, “not seriously injure the visual and residential amenities of the area”, and “be acceptable in terms of public health, traffic safety and convenience”.