Ground-mounted solar panels at 75m NW of A5 Service Station, Beragh

“Site Details The site is located on land approx. 75m NW of A5 Service Station, 135 Curr Road, Beragh. The site (approx. 0.9ha in size) is defined by agricultural pasture with a steady slope from SE to NW. The site boundaries to the West and NE are defined by well established field vegetation (hedgerows/trees). The Southern and Eastern boundaries are undefined and the site extends to the Greenmount Road in the SW to provide an access point.”

“The NE perimeter of the site is bound by the Curr Road (A5 Protected Route) which is the main traffic corridor from Ballygawley to the NW. Land use in the immediate area is mainly defined by low lying agricultural land draining into the Routing Burn. There are sporadic commercial uses along road frontage sites (A5 service station and diner/Pizzamac/Agri-Power/McNelis Lines). Single dwellings and farmgroups also prevalent.”

“Planning application K/1998/0670/F was granted planning permission on the 27 September 1999 for the retention of an extension to the existing take-away and change of use of agricultural land to provide associated car parking, lorry parking and landscaping.”

“An application for a house was refused planning permission under planning application L/2005/2007/F on 13 October 2006.”

“Eighteen representations have been received.”

“Summary of Issues raised 1- Incorrect Address Details/ Incorrect Description of Proposal 2- Incorrect Ownership Declaration 3- Access Issues/Traffic Safety 4- Visual Impact 5- Property Value 6- Impact on Wildlife and Environment 7- Safety and Health Concerns 8- Loss of Agricultural Land 9- Inadequate Consultation/Neighbour Notification 10- Radiation Impact (electromagnetic fields) 11- Glint and Glare Impact 12- Surface Water and Drainage 13- No Environmental Impact…”

“The Senior Planning Officer outlined the background and the reasons for recommending that the above application be granted planning permission.”

“In response to a Member’s query, the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that the generated electricity would be routed to the A5 Diner buildings only.”

“RESOLVED: On the proposal of Councillor O’Reilly, seconded by Councillor Devine Gallagher, and unanimously agreed, that the above application be approved planning permission, subject to the four conditions listed within Paragraph 8.0 of Appendix 2. (”