29.9 MW solar farm at Lands located southeast of the Ballycastle Roundabout on the eastern outskirts of Coleraine. At their northern point

What was proposed

A 29.9 MW solar farm would include panels, battery storage, substations, fencing, security cameras, access, landscaping and associated infrastructure.

“Proposal: Installation and operation of a 29.9 MW solar farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and associated infrastructure including photovoltaic panels, mounting frames, inverters transformers, substation, fencing, pole mounted security cameras and associated site access and landscaping.”

“RELEVANT HISTORY 3.1 LA01/2022/1562/PAN - Installation and operation of a 29.9 MW solar farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and associated infrastructure including photovoltaic panels, mounting frames, inverters transformers, substation, fencing, pole mounted security cameras and associated site access and landscaping PAN Acceptable 19.12.2022”

Officer report

The site

The proposal covers about 52 hectares of agricultural grassland southeast of the Ballycastle Roundabout, with road connections and nearby homes and buildings.

“SITE LOCATION & DESCRIPTION 2.1 The application site is located on lands to the southeast of the Ballycastle Roundabout on the eastern outskirts of Coleraine; south of Ballyrashane Road; east of the Ring Road; and northeast of Newmills Road. The site benefits from main road connections to the wider Northwest, with the closest other settlement being Ballyrashane located c.2km to the northwest.”

“The subject site is located on a parcel of agricultural grassland measuring circa 52 ha. The site is relatively flat and is made up of 17 individual agricultural fields comprising mainly semi-improved neutral grassland with some areas of arable land. It is noted that these areas have since been subject to livestock grazing and are subsequently more representative of species poor semi-improved grasslands.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal was acceptable in principle and would not cause unacceptable effects across the assessed planning issues.

“The proposal has been assessed against the relevant policy, mainly Planning Policy Statement 18: Renewable Energy, and has been found acceptable in terms of the principle of development, impact on the public, safety, human health, residential amenity, visual amenity, landscape character, biodiversity, nature conservation, and local natural resources.”

“This proposal is considered acceptable at this location having regard to the Northern Area Plan 2016 and all other material considerations.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Statutory consultees raised no objections, generally subject to conditions, while the consultation received five objections and one letter of support.

“There were 5 objections to this proposal and 1 letter of support. These are considered below.”

“Internal 5.3 See appendix 1 for details of consultations carried out and the responses provided. All consultees were content with the proposal subject to conditions.”

Officer report

What people said

Objections concerned property value, residential amenity, privacy, lighting, visual impact, health, wildlife, drainage, land use and environmental assessment.

“- Development will devalue property – While the factors that can bring about property devaluation are a material planning consideration, property devaluation in itself is not afforded significant weight. In terms of amenity and other relevant considerations, the proposal is acceptable.”

“The land is outside the settlement development limits of Coleraine and is not zoned for any use therefore it has no other immediate development potential. - Impact of drainage and knock on effect for residential dwellings – Drainage and issues regarding flooding have been assessed by DfI Rivers and are discussed in the report. It is considered that there will be no unacceptable impact.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent spoke in support, highlighting policy alignment, renewable energy, economic, environmental and agricultural benefits.

The decision

The committee approved planning permission subject to the conditions in the officer report.

“We respectfully ask the Planning Committee to support the recommendation to Approve. In response to questions, P McKernan advised that there will be a mix of trees and shrubs which will include coniferous trees to provide year-round screening.”

“RESOLVED - That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in section 9 and the policies and guidance in sections 7 and 8 and resolves to APPROVE planning permission subject to the conditions set out in section 10.”

Minutes