Clonea Power solar farm open for judicial review

Clonea-Power locals who are opposing the construction of a large scale solar farm in the area have announced that they have been granted leave for a judicial review.

Representatives from the Clonea/Mothel Solar Farm Action Group commented this week: “We have some good news to share with you all. As our case was heard this week in the High Court and we have been granted leave for our Judicial Review."

“This is great news for everyone in the locality and we would like to thank everyone for their continuous support," they said. 

Following an An Bord Pleanala inspection, planning permission was granted in May for the 141 hectare solar farm in Clonea-Power.

The location of the farm spans the townlands of Bishopstown, Bridgetown, Ballyhest and Ballyneale.

The proposed development has faced considerable backlash from locals, and numerous public meetings have taken place in the locality since the inception of the plans.

Third party appeals were submitted by concerned locals, representatives of Clonea Power National School and Clonea GAA Club. The plans subsequently went to An Bord Pleanala for inspection.

The planned development will consist of photovoltaic panels on ground, and mounted steel frames with associated cabling and ducting.

Twenty-eight single storey inverter stations with perimeter fencing, a permeable gravel access track and 49 onsite pole mounted CCTV cameras are also approved. Four site accesses will span the area with four security gates.

A number of temporary construction measures are also included, including three temporary compounds and material storage areas, three temporary construction stage wheelwash systems, and six temporary storage containers.

The period sought for the proposed development is ten years, and it is requested by the developer that the operational period will be forty years. Construction is expected to take from ten to twelve months to complete.