Plans lodged for 124-hectare solar farm development

Plans for a solar farm development on a 124-hectare site have been submitted to Meath County Council.

Obton Limited is seeking a ten-year planning permission to construct and complete a solar PV energy development at Hawkinstown, Riverstown (ED Ardcath), Scatternagh, Balgeeth, Ardcath, Co Meath.

The development includes inverter/transformer substations, modules, solar PV ground mounted on support structures, temporary construction compounds, internal access tracks, security fencing, electrical cabling and ducting, CCTV and other infrastructure.

The proposed solar farm would be operational for a period of 35 years.

Separately, Harmony Solar Meath Ltd had advertised its intention to apply for planning permission for the laying of an underground cable to connect the north and south parcels of the Milltown Solar Farm.

Recently an Bord Pleanala gave the green light to the company for a 300-acre solar farm development in the Cortown area of Kells. Harmony Solar Meath Limited was granted planning permission last August by Meath County Council for a solar farm on two parcels of land totalling 121.5 hectares at Milltown and Moyaugher Lower, Cortown, Kells, and this decision was appealed to an Bord Pleanala by local residents.

Now the company has advertised its intention for a development in the townlands of Balrathboyne Glebe, Betaghstown, Cortown, Miltown, Moyagher Lower and Volvenstown near Kells, consisting of the laying of an underground 33kv medium voltage electrical cables with associated communication chambers and ancillary development within the local public roads L6835, L6836, and L80021 for a distance of 2,991 metres. Permission is sought for a period of ten years.

According to the newspaper notice, the underground cable is intended to connect the south parcel in Moyagher Lower with the north parcel in Milltown Townland of Milltown Solar Farm.