Valuable input from public consultation shapes BNRG Maganey
Feedback, resident engagement and technical assessments are informing the final proposal
Planning application to be submitted to Kildare County Council in the coming days
BNRG is very grateful to the local community for your constructive feedback and input as part of our public consultation process in relation to the proposed BNRG Maganey solar development.
The 105MW* proposed solar farm is designed to meet Ireland’s targets of generating 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. BNRG Maganey would help meet these targets by providing power for the equivalent of 14,000* households and it would also save up to 21,300* tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Your feedback, along with comprehensive surveys and assessments, has helped inform a range of proposed measures, mitigations and enhancements that will be included in our planning application to ensure a best-in-class solar project.
*estimates only
Key activities have included:
Public Consultation including a community clinic and individual landowner 1-2-1s, Q&As and site visits, community outreach by our Community Liaison Officer
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments to fully evaluate the visual impact of the development on the surrounding landscape to understand how the project might look and to mitigate any potential visual effects, including with enhanced set backs and screening
Traffic and Transport Impact Assessment to ensure that the road infrastructure can handle construction and operational traffic and that proposed entrance locations are designed to a high and safe standard
Biodiversity Assessment and Biodiversity Enhancement Management Plan to assess the local ecosystem and how this can be protected and enhanced through the project.
Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment, including walkovers and assessments of known archaeological features. These critically assess the archaeological and cultural heritage environment from existing records and embed mitigation measures to minimise potential effects. A Geophysical survey and an Architectural Impact Assessment have been carried out to feed into this
Noise and vibration surveys to reduce or eliminate any residual impacts of noise and vibration during construction and operation
Flood risk assessment in accordance with the Planning System and Flood Risk Management (PSFRM) Guidelines
Ecology and hydrology/hydrogeology assessments and mapping to mitigate the potential effects on flora and fauna within the project site and surrounding areas
Glint and Glare Assessments to determine and assess if the proposed project could cause a nuisance for local receptors including transport links
The following is a summary of issues raised and proposed actions in response:
Feedback | Action taken |
Visual amenity: You told us you wanted to protect the visual surroundings of properties and the local environment | Visual impact has been a key consideration in our project design, and we have undertaken a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) for this. The site has been selected as it is naturally well-screened by local topography, hedgerows and buffer zones. In response to residents’ feedback, we have repositioned solar panels including removal of panels in areas of direct visual impact. We have also increased setbacks from homes with direct views of the development and strengthened the proposed screening and landscaping following visual impact feedback from local residents. These changes will help reduce the project’s visual impact and address concerns raised by the local community. Existing boundary hedgerows will be retained where possible and strengthened with additional native planting where required. Planting is proposed for the first growing season before development begins, helping to improve screening and integrate the project with the surrounding rural environment. In addition, on request our Community Liaison Officer and project lead undertook follow up discussions with local properties to assess potential individual visual impacts, with photomontages provided. |
Construction and traffic: You asked us how construction traffic will be managed during construction | It is essential that the safety and security of local roads is maintained during construction and the life cycle of BNRG Maganey. Subject to planning, the construction phase for the solar development is expected to take up to 12 months to complete, followed by a 3-6 month low impact commissioning phase. A Traffic and Transport Assessment has been conducted to assess the potential impact of the proposed development on the existing local transport network. The Assessment will ensure that the proposed site access will have adequate capacity to carry the development traffic and takes into account the future growth in existing road traffic to the design year and beyond. To maintain a steady traffic flow during the construction phase, a comprehensive Traffic Management Plan informed by traffic counts and speed surveys will be agreed with the local authority prior to construction commencing, alongside a detailed Construction Management Plan. A dedicated Glint and Glare Assessment has also been prepared to assess potential solar reflectance effects on nearby properties, local roads and road users. The assessment considers the position of the sun throughout the year, the location of sensitive receptors, the orientation and layout of the solar arrays, existing screening features and local topography. Access to houses, farms and businesses will be maintained throughout the build. Minimum disruption is anticipated during construction as the solar arrays would be located on private lands and installed using tried and tested techniques. The proposed solar farm will be connected via under-road cabling that would be laid on a rolling dig-bury-reinstate basis. The BNRG Maganey Community Liaison Officer will be available to respond to any queries during the construction phase. |
Noise impact: Questions were asked about possible sound from the solar array | BNRG Maganey has conducted detailed sound studies to ensure any potential sources are subject to mitigation measures and minimise impact on the local environment. Taking these points into consideration, a detailed noise report will be included in the planning application. The noise and vibration impact during the construction and operational phases were assessed in addition to taking account of mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate any residual impacts on the environment within the study area. The placement of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and inverters has been determined in accordance with best practice guidelines for noise and vibration. Locations have been updated in response to local resident feedback, to minimise any potential impact on neighbouring properties. |
Community Benefit Fund: You asked us how community funding would be managed and distributed to the local community | We are keen to work with the community to see BNRG Maganey maximise its positive impact for local residents. Subject to planning and participation in a Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction, BNRG expects to establish a Community Benefit Fund in which locals would be invited to participate and to have your say in how the estimated €1.8 million community fund would be invested over time. Administration of the Community Benefit Fund involves several key roles, including the project developer, the community, and a designated community fund committee that oversees fund allocation. The latest guidance on this can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/community-projects-and-benefit-funds-ress/ (Please note the document may be subject to change by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment) We look forward to working with the community to best harness the benefits of the Fund locally. |
