Planning permission has been refused for a large scale solar farm in Westmeath
The application submitted by Neoen Renewables Ireland Limited called for a solar energy development with a total site area of 87 hectares at Garlandstown, near Crookedwood.
Also included was the provision of electrical power stations, underground electrical and communications cabling and a containerised battery energy storage facility.
A 10 year planning permission was sought with the operational lifetime listed as 35 years.
The application was the subject of 80 submissions by local residents who were heavily opposed to the development.
Westmeath County Council refused the application on 3 conditions, with one being that the size of the proposed solar farm would be detrimental to the ecology of the area.
