Dunnstown BESS project refused by planners

The recent application to build a battery energy storage system at Dunnstown was turned down by Kildare County Council on the grounds of premature development, fire safety issues, and concerns about its effect on the health of the community, writes Brian Byrne.

The application was made by Strategic Power Systems for the development of 76 battery storage units on an 4,000 ha site that is currently agricultural land. A strong campaign against the project was mounted by local people and residents of the Two Mile House area.

Related reasons given by the KCC planners report advising the refusal include that it would 'set an undesirable precedent' for similar developments in the area, would interfere with the amenity of residents, and would therefore devalue property in the area.

There were 172 submissions to the planning application, only one of which was in favour of the project. Among the many issues raised by objectors were the scale of the development, fire safety risks, fears of contamination, impact on the equine industry and tourism, the possibility of vandalism or cyber-attack, and premature pending a Bord Pleanala decision on an associated sub-station — this relates to a direct application by Strategic Power Systems to ABP for permission for the sub-station.

The report noted that the Fire Officer had raised significant concerns from a fire safety perspective, including access for fire fighting and water supply measures on site. The planners also noted 'numerous deficiencies and inaccuracies' in the fire safety documentation presented with the application.

The Two Mile House Says NO campaign have welcomed the decision and expressed their thanks to all who supported them.

The developer can appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

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