Permission for a 19.9 hectare solar farm at Clonroche was granted following an appeal to An Bord Pleanala recently.

A DECISION by Wexford Co. Council to refuse permission for a 20 hectare solar farm at Tomfarney, Clonroche, was overturned recently following an appeal to An Bord Pleanala.

Highfield Solar originally submitted an application in June 2016. That application sought ten-year permission for the construction of a solar PV energy development covering 19.9 hectares. The site consisted of four agricultural fields located in a small valley area 2km west of Clonroche. The land in question belongs to Mr. Philip Leech.

One submission of objection was made to that application. Christopher and Marie Heavey of Tomfarney Lodge, Tomfarney objected on the grounds that the development would negatively impact on the residential and visual amenity of their home, pointing out that alternative sites were available on the landholding that wouldn’t impact on their home to the same degree.

The application was subsequently refused by Wexford Co. Council due to access issues and a recommendation in a Roads Report which said: “The road design section have recommended Refusal on a sweeping bend where the maximum speed limit applies and at a location where there is a history of accidents, in addition it has not been shown that minimum sightlines are available.”

However, An Bord Pleanala overruled this decision saying that they had regard to the very low level of operational traffic that would arise as a result of the proposed development, and to the levels of existing traffic generated by current agricultural and arboricultural activities.

Their report stated: “The Board was satisfied that no material intensification would arise as a result of the operation of the proposed development, and that the safety and carrying capacity of the national road would accordingly not be prejudiced.”

Permission was granted with a number of conditions.