The Client sought to secure a 10-year planning permission for the construction of a 4 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Development on a site of c. 13.3 ha, located 2 km southwest of Loughshinny Village, Co Dublin (immediately west of the Dublin-Belfast rail line). The development comprises the provision of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels on ground mounted frames/support structures and includes associated underground cabling and ducting, inverter/transformer stations, HV cabin, communications and storage structures, substations, perimeter (stock proof) security fencing, CCTV security cameras, site access road, landscaping and all associated ancillary site development works.

Tom Phillips + Associates (TPA) provided strategic planning advice to the Client and Project Team and led all aspects of the planning application process. This included the Planning and Environmental Report, project management and peer-review of expert inputs on Ecology, Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage, Archaeology, Traffic and Access including Outline Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP), Appropriate Assessment Screening, EIS Screening, Glint and Glare, and Landscape and Visual Impact.

The comprehensive application demonstrated that the location, nature and scale of the proposed development (including design measures to minimise its potential impacts) can be readily absorbed into the landscape without significant adverse impacts on the surrounding environment, residential amenity or European Sites. The Application was lodged on 15th May 2017 and Fingal County Council granted planning permission for the development on 6th July 2017 subject to 21 No. Conditions. Fingal County Council’s grant of planning permission confirms the finding that the proposal would be beneficial in terms of renewable energy production and will deliver a net planning and biodiversity gain.