Council refuses Bellville Solar Farm near Monivea

30 September 2026

Galway County Council refused planning permission for the Bellville Solar Farm near Monivea and Abbeyknockmoy on 30 September 2026. The applicant is Heron Solar Ltd., and the planning reference is 26/61362.

The application, received on 7 August, covered 239 hectares across fourteen townlands. It sought a ten-year planning permission for more than one million square metres of ground-mounted solar panels, 32 medium-voltage stations, access tracks, underground cabling and associated works. The proposed operating lifetime was 40 years.

The Council’s decision sets out eleven reasons for refusal, finding the proposal contrary to policies in the Galway County Development Plan 2022–2028.

On the overall project, the Council cited inconsistent technical material, uncertainty over a future grid connection and substation, and insufficient justification for a location classed “Less Likely Viable” under its renewable energy strategy. It also said appropriate legal consents for the land had not been clearly demonstrated.

Environmental reasons included insufficient assurance about protecting Lough Corrib Special Area of Conservation, deficiencies in environmental-impact screening, and unresolved flood-risk questions.

Infrastructure concerns included the effect of grid-connection works on future road and water-service works, inadequate information about clearances from overhead power lines, and conflicts with Uisce Éireann infrastructure.

Further reasons concerned construction traffic and road safety, an inadequate glint-and-glare assessment, and an incomplete archaeological assessment. The full refusal notice is linked below.

RTÉ reported that more than 350 submissions were made on the application. Galway Bay FM reported relief and elation among local residents following the decision.

AMASS — Abbeyknockmoy and Monivea Against Solar Sprawl — is the neighbouring community group campaigning on this development. It brings together residents and families from those areas and the surrounding townlands. Its refusal announcement, website and Facebook page are linked below for anyone who wants to follow their work.

An appeal remains possible. The applicant can appeal the refusal to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks beginning on the date of the Council’s decision.

This is a nearby case for Lackagh and Knockdoe residents to follow. Bellville and Blackthorn are separate planning applications, and this decision does not determine the outcome of the Blackthorn proposal.

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