An Bord Pleanála has given the green light to plans for a solar farm across 600 acres in Co Kildare despite the concerns of the equine industry.
This follows the appeals board upholding a decision by Kildare Co Council to grant a 10 year planning permission to Delamain Solar Farm Ltd across 12 town lands and six parcels of land on sites 3.5km east of Kilcullen.
The solar farm is to consist of solar photovoltaic panels with a surface area of 1.13m square metres on mounted frames.
In an objection before the Council, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (ITBA) contended that the grant of permission “would deal a devastating blow to the future of stud farming in Co Kildare and has the potential to wipe out the industry in this part of Co Kildare”.
The objection stated that of the 25 stud farms close to the application site, four farms represent multi-million investors that have been present in Ireland for a very long time and have been important rural employers in Co Kildare for decades.
The ITBA objection was drawn up by its then chief executive, Una Tormey, who died in January of this year after a short illness.
Ms Tormey pointed out that one of the stud farms concerned is Gilltown Stud, which she said was visited by Queen Elizabeth in her historic visit to Ireland due to its international importance.
Kildare Co Council granted planning permission for the proposal despite 85 objections including eight from local groups.
In a planning report on behalf of the applicants, it contended that the solar farm would not detract from the visual or residential amenities in the area.
The application came before the appeals board following appeals by Rani Grennell and others and Harristown Coughlanstown Community Group CLG in November 2023.
In her 72-page report, appeals board inspector, Karla McBride addressed the concerns of the equine industry in her assessment.
On the third party concerns over the equine industry impacts, Ms McBride stated that the proposed development would not result in any loss of lands currently in use for equine activities.
Ms McBride stated that the proposed development has the potential to cause disturbance during the construction phase, “however I am satisfied that its impact would be temporary and short term”.
She added: “The proposed development has limited potential to cause disturbance during the operational phase.”
Ms McBride stated that night-time noise impacts on equine receptors would be negligible having regard to the characteristics of solar farm emissions between dusk and dawn.
Ms McBride stated that having regard to the nature of the proposed development she was satisfied that there is no likelihood of significant adverse operational noise effects on equine receptors.
On the impact of residential amenities, Ms McBride stated that she was satisfied that the proposed development “would not seriously injure the residential amenities of houses in the surrounding area to any significant extent, subject to compliance with conditions”.
The appeals board concluded that “the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity or give rise to a traffic hazard.
