An over 300,000 square metre solar farm in south-east Clare has been granted planning permission despite the applicant being accused of showing “arrogance and disrespect” to the local authority.
Reeve Wave Limited has been given the green light to proceed with the development in Ardnacrusha.
On October 4th last year, the Cork-based firm applied for 10-year planning permission for a solar array consisting of 330,000 square metres of solar panels on ground mounted frames in the townlands of Coolderry, Dromintobin North, Dromintobin South, Knockbrack Lower, Knockbrack Upper, Monaskeha, Oakfield and Ruanard.
The application includes plans for 13 single-storey control cabins, two ring main units, underground cablings, security fencing and internal CCTV as well as the creation of thee new entrances – two on the R471 nand one on the L70382.
On November 11th, Clare County Council requested further information on the plans from the applicant and this was sent in on October the 8th of this year.
A total of 14 submissions were sent in from the public in relation to the development.
Kevin and Cliona Donnellan of Donnellan Developments Limited said “the sheer arrogance and disrespect towards Clare County Council Planning Authority by the applicant is incredible and shows that Reeve Wave Ltd., are prepared to be refused planning permission by Clare County Council and subsequently appeal their case with An Coimisiún Pleanála”.
This was concerning the local authority’s request that the applicant submit a revised proposal in light of the finding that the development’s scale should be reduced.
In his submission, Kilfenora engineer Michael Duffy described the application as a “deliberate and underhand attempt to more than double the size of an already character changing development on this local community”.
Clare County Council approved the plans on October 16th subject to 12 conditions.
