- A 10MW solar farm project has been refused planning permission by the Galway County Council.
- The project has been rejected because it poses a glint and glare hazard on the nearby motorways.
Last month a plenary board has upheld the decision of Galway County Council to refuse planning permission for a 10-megawatt energy plant about 4km west of Athenry, in the Republic of Ireland.
The reason for the rejection of the project is the potential solar panels’ glint and glare hazard on drivers travelling on the nearby motorways, as specified in the planning document:
“Having regard to the location of the proposed development in proximity to the M6 Motorway, the M17/18 Motorway and the Rathmorrissy three level Motorway to Motorway Interchange, where particular driver vigilance is required, it is considered that the proposed development by reason of glint and glare, would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard and distraction of road user and would interfere with the safety and free flow of traffic on the road network. Furthermore, the proposed development would adversely affect the capacity, safety and operational efficiency of the national road network in the vicinity of the site, which would be contrary to national policy to protect the capacity of national routes. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”[1]
The refusal was signed by Dolores McCague, an inspector for An Bord Pleanala, which highlighted that “the glint and glare matter is the most important issue in this case”. She also added that a mitigation strategy cannot be implemented for all parts of the motorway.
Author: GBA Newsdesk
Source: PagePower
