Neoen appeal council decision on Crookedwood solar farm

Neoen Renewables Ireland Limited have appealed the decision by Westmeath County Council to refuse a 10-year permission for a solar energy development at Gartlandstown, Crookedwood, to An Bord Pleanála.

The company, whose headquarters are in Ferry House, Lower Mount Street, Dublin, propose a solar energy development that has a total area of 87 hectares (215-acres) on the Castlepollard side of Crookedwood, near Lough Derravaragh and Knockeyon Hill.

There was strong opposition from locals to the plan and there were around 70 objections to the county council on it.

Westmeath County Council turned down the application on three grounds.

Firstly, the council pointed out that the site of the proposed development is "located within a scenic and culturally sensitive undulating and rolling landscape… which is partially located within a designated High Amenity Area".

The development, planners said, would "give rise to a visually obtrusive form in an open, undulating and attractive rural area".

The council also said that the proposed development "may pose a risk of significant effects on the conservation objectives and integrity of Lough Derravaragh Special Protection Area", and added that it "may have an adverse ecological impact and would be contrary to policies set out in the county development plan".

The appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanála on September 5 last details that photovoltaic solar panels would mounted on steel frames, complete with electrical inverters, and electrical power stations. The laying of underground electrical and communications cabling would be required, as would the constriction of a containerised battery energy storage facility.

The existing site entrance would also need to be upgraded to allow for the development, and a second new site entrance would need to be developed, along with on-site access tracks, and a temporary construction compound. The plan also seeks permission for security fencing and security gates, pole-mounted security cameras, and associated and ancillary site development, landscaping and reinstatement works.

Neoen have proposed the operational lifetime for the development to be 35 years.

An Bord Pleanála are due to make a decision on the plan by January 17 next year.