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Pat McGrath
Western Correspondent
Galway County Council has rejected plans for a proposed solar farm near the villages of Lackagh and Turloughmore.
Blackthorn Solar Farm Limited had applied for permission to construct an electricity generating facility, over 93 hectares, which would have comprised 352,000sq/m of panels, along with 18 transformer stations.
Planners have refused permission on a number of grounds.
They found that the exiting road network was unsuitable for additional traffic that would result from the development and that the application was contrary to “the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.
Concerns from Uisce Éireann about the impact the facility would have on existing infrastructure; an “insufficient” glint and glare assessment and the archaeological impact of the proposal were also cited as reasons for the refusal.
Multiple submissions to the Council had expressed concerns about the scale and location of the plans.
The decision to block the development has been welcomed by the Lackagh – Knockdoe Solar Action Group, which was formed to oppose the proposal.
Campaigners say they are not against solar energy but that national guidelines are needed for such infrastructure and that it cannot be imposed on communities with minimal engagement.
It’s the second time Galway County Council has refused permission for a large-scale solar farm in recent weeks.
At the end of September, a 239-hectare development, proposed near the villages of Monivea and Abbeyknockmoy, was also blocked.
Western Correspondent
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