An Bord Pleanála has agreed to controversial plans for a solar farm across a 300ac site on farm land outside Kells in Co. Meath. Harmony Solar Meath Ltd, will now erect up to 734,000m² of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on ground-mounted steel frames on two parcels of land at Milltown and Moyagher Lower, Cortown, Kells.
The contentious planning was approved by the appeals board who granted a 10-year planning permission despite three appeals being lodged with An Bord Pleanala against Meath County Council’s decision to grant permission. According to the appeals board the scheme “would make a positive contribution to Ireland’s renewable energy requirements”.
One of the appeals was lodged by planning consultant, Hendrik W van der Kamp town planner on behalf of 63 local residents. In opposition to the planning appellant, Pat Lynch told the board that the loss of 300ac of good quality agricultural land would materially contravene an overriding goal in the Meath County Development Plan of providing for agriculture and rural development. Lynch stated that this type of solar farm proposal replacing good quality agricultural land is being repeated at numerous rural locations in Co. Meath.
However there 16 planning conditions attached to the grant of planning permission for the solar farm. An Bord Pleanála has stipulated that “on full or partial decommissioning of the solar farm, or if the solar farm ceases operation for a period of more than one year, the solar arrays, including foundations/anchors, and all associated equipment, shall be dismantled and removed permanently from the site”.