Planning permission for a Solar farm in Westmeath has been appealed to the higher planning authority. Harmony Solar Kildallan Limited had applied for and were granted a 10 year planning permission for the development of a solar farm across 140 acres at Kiladallan, Parcellstown, Slane More, Ballyhug and Toor Commons. The plans include 781,500 square metres of photovoltaic panels on ground mounted steel frames and 17 hardstands to hold electrical skids. The application also calls for new internal access tracks and underground power and communications cables along local routes.
The applicant has sought for the solar farm to have an operational lifespan of 40 years. The plans were subject to a large number of public submissions, which highlighted concerns with the efficiency of solar power, the loss of productive agricultural land, light reflection and the effect on local biodiversity. The permission granted by Westmeath County Council has now been challenged and an appeal issued to An Bord Pleanála. The higher planning authority will decide on the issue in February of next year.
