Press Releases: 20 December 2024
KILLOUGH SOLAR ACKNOWLEDGES VALUABLE INPUT FROM PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Feedback, surveys and analysis have helped inform an enhanced project proposal
Planning application to be submitted in early January
Killough Solar is extremely grateful to the local community and other stakeholders for your constructive feedback and input over the past 10 weeks as part of our ongoing public consultation process in connection with a proposed c. 100 MW solar farm.
The proposed solar farm is designed to complement Coolmore Stud’s [‘Coolmore’] environmental and sustainability initiatives and would produce renewable energy equivalent to the annual household energy needs of a population of c. 68,500 people. It would also save up to 42,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually – relative to fossil fuel.
Together with comprehensive surveys and other analysis undertaken, your feedback has helped inform a range of proposed measures, mitigations and enhancements that will be included in our planning application in early January and will, we believe, result in a best in class, discrete solar project. We have been busy since our public announcement on 8th October last. Key activities in the interim have included:
- Public Consultation: clinics, landowner and community 1-2-1’s and Q&A’s and outreach by our Community Liaison Officer
- Geophysical surveys: Survey were undertaken to map archaeological objects, structures, deposits and other features, to inform how best to deal with any potential archaeological finds or features before construction work commences
- Archaeological walkovers and assessments of known archaeological features
- Ecology and hydrology (ground water) assessments and mapping
- Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments
- Design and engineering assessments to optimise the local topography so that the solar farm blends as seamlessly as possible into the local landscape
The following is a summary of issues raised or identified and proposed actions in mitigation:
| Feedback / surveys | Outcome / action |
| Killough Castle visual amenity: You told us you wanted us to protect the visual and amenity value of Killough Castle and its immediate environment | Our designs and layout have factored in a non-developable ‘Archaeological/Cultural Heritage buffer area’ of c. 26.52 ha. This will preserve the visual and amenity value of the castle and its immediate surroundings. A very low density of solar panels, c. 40 per cent of landholding, is being proposed. The location had also been carefully selected for its discrete low-lying setting, being substantially bordered by over 50 hectares of woodland and a large open quarry and is further screened by the local topography, by plans for set-back from the public road. |
| Archaeological features: Queries related to preserving known and newly identified archaeological features | An archaeological walkover and geophys survey of the site also identified previously unrecorded underground features, with further measures incorporated into the project design to protect known and newly identified archaeological features. |
| Biodiversity: Questions were asked about preserving and enhancing biodiversity and natural aspects of the site and if the development was going to create pollution and damage the wildlife in the area. | Following extensive ecology and hydrology assessments on the site no direct or indirect impacts were identified which created issues in relation to biodiversity or water quality, with no pollution identified in the construction, operation and decommissioning phase of the development. All identified ecological features are being retained, with appropriate buffers incorporated into the design. To further enhance the biodiversity value of the site, the provision of biodiversity enhancement areas of c. 42.23 ha. and retention of Existing Forrest/Woodland areas c. 52.42ha are included within the site design. |
| Electrical pylons, wires and poles: questions were asked about electricity poles to carry electricity from the solar farm | Under our plans there will be no pylons or electrical poles or any overground electrical cables connecting the solar farm to a planned substation. All electrical cables will be underground and appropriate assessments will be conducted to determine the appropriate route. |
| Glint, glare and visual impact: Several queries related to over-looking and if ‘Glint and Glare’ would be experienced | Following the public consultations, and through direct engagement with neighbouring landowners and a Landscape and Visual Impact (LVIA) assessment by MacroWorks, an increase in native planting was proposed to provide additional visual screening to directly address neighbours’ queries in areas of the site where natural vegetation was considered sub optimum. An example of this being on the northwest corner of the site where the existing hedgerows were coppiced annually, and vegetation was considered to be patchy to non-existent, allowing unobscured views towards the proposed development. It was agreed to plant a native hedgerow thicket in the area from the boundary to the back of the solar panel array, thus increasing the volume and density of plants to provide adequate visual screening In the same location, rows of solar panel arrays were removed to increase the panel set-back from 15 metres from the site boundary to 25 metres from the site boundary, with increased planting and visual screening in the vacated space. |
| Substation* location: Some queries focussed on the location of the substation, which at the time, was unknown. | Though not part of the upcoming planning application Killough Solar was keen to provide some guidance regarding the likely location of a substation. At the outset of the process we had no confirmed location for the proposed substation. However, having considered a number of different site options aimed at minimising any visual impact we are very pleased to have identified what we believe is an optimal site that is likely to be the subject of a future standalone application in due course. Details about the likely substation are set out hereafter. |
* What’s a substation and where will it be located?
- A substation is typically a fenced off site located close to existing electricity transmission lines where its purpose is to convert high voltages to low voltages, or vice versa. Any substation would itself be subject to a site-specific planning application in due course.
- Killough Solar has considered a number of different site options aimed at minimising any visual impact and we are very pleased to have identified what we believe is an optimal site. The proposed substation is located close to the existing Killhill-Thurles 110kV overhead transmission powerlines, travelling in a north/south direction towards the Thurles 110kV electricial substation.
- As illustrated by the attached map, the intended site is positioned approximately 1km to the east of the planned solar farm within a self-contained field surrounded by existing mature hedgerows, with additional hedgerows planned.
- The sub-station would be akin to a farm shed and would be acoustically insulated to minimise noise breakout from the building. It would be clad in natural / earthy-coloured materials to blend in with the surrounding countryside and will measure c. 715.73 sq metres, on an enclosed site. The site would also contain external transformers, required to meet stringent Environmental Protection Agency noise limits.
- At present we expect to connect the substation with Killough Solar farm via underground ducting within the L-4106 and L-41561 public roads. Ducting installation is expected to be completed in less than 1 week, following which an entirely new road surface would be provided, with no additional road traffic of note thereafter, not least as operational access to the substation thereafter would be via a new entrance located on L-4106 road.
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