The national planning body has given the go-ahead for a major solar panel development in Banna.
Kerry County Council had granted permission to Banna Beach Resort to construct around 1,500 solar panels on lands adjacent to the resort.
That decision was appealed to An Bórd Pleanála by well-known environmentalist Peter Sweetman.
Banna Beach Resort applied for planning to build 1,500 ground-mounted solar panels, fixed to metal frames, over around 3,500 square metres.
The development, on unused lands to the south of the existing resort, would produce a maximum of over 800 kilowatts.
Mr Sweetman’s appeal claims that appropriate assessment is required for this development; appropriate assessments measure the potential impact of projects on Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.
In its appropriate assessment screening, Kerry County Council concluded it was beyond reasonable scientific doubt the works would not likely effect the Akeragh, Banna and Barrow Harbour Special Area of Conservation.
Mr Sweetman argued that the council did not have jurisdiction to grant planning permission because its screening did not meet standards set by court precedents.
An Bórd Pleanála’s inspector concluded that an appropriate assessment was not required, due to the nature of the development and that it would be unlikely to impact on that site.
The national planning body granted permission subject to nine conditions, including that the solar panels only have permission for 25 years and must be removed by then, unless further permission is granted in the meantime.
The company must also not install or operate any artificial lighting.
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HEADLINE: An Bórd Pleanála gives go-ahead for major solar panel development in Banna
TAGS: An Bórd Pleanála, Banna, planning, Kerry County Council, solar panels, Peter Sweetman,
IMAGE: solar panels
