Valuable input from public consultation shapes BNRG Bracklone

• Feedback, surveys and assessments have helped inform best-in-class solar proposal

• Planning application to be submitted 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 Bracklone solar development.

The 32MW* proposed solar farm is designed to meet Ireland’s targets of generating 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. BNRG Bracklone would help meet these targets by providing power for the equivalent of 6,000* households and it would also save up to 9,000* 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

• Flood risk assessment in accordance with the Planning System and Flood Risk Management (PSFRM) Guidelines and Flood Risk Management Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Ecology and hydrology/hydrogeology assessments and mapping to mitigate the potential effects on flora and fauna within the project site and surrounding areas

• Noise and vibration surveys to reduce or eliminate any residual impacts of noise and vibration during construction and operation

• Major Accident and Natural Disaster Assessment and an Electrical Fire Risk Report to assess and mitigate the potential vulnerabilities and impacts of accidents and disasters for the proposed project site

• 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
Flooding concern: You asked us about measures in place to mitigate potential flooding in the local area, specifically around drainage blocking	We acknowledge the concerns raised regarding local flooding and drainage. We have placed a significant focus on environmental matters. Our design and layout will promote biodiversity, includes enhanced hedgerows for screening and protect and enhance watercourses, soils and geology. We carried out comprehensive site hydrology and hydrogeology surveys across the site. We have also registered the drainage positioning of the site and will work with local landowners pre-construction to avoid this drainage during the build. There will be no in-stream works carried out and no new barriers to water movements. A comprehensive flood risk assessment (Stage 2 FRA in accordance with The Planning System and Flood Risk Management [PSFRM]) has been carried out for the proposed site and this has found that the project will not increase the risk of flooding outside the site. We will maintain greenfield runoff rates to make sure that the project does not increase the risk of downstream flooding.
Construction and Traffic: You raised queries about how traffic and access to premises will be managed during construction, with particular reference to the R420	It is essential that the safety and security of local roads is maintained during construction and the life cycle of BNRG Bracklone. Subject to planning, the construction phase for the development is expected to be completed over a 12-month period. There will be limited heavy construction time. Access to local houses, farms and businesses will be maintained. We have undertaken a comprehensive Traffic and Transport Assessment to assess the potential traffic impact of the proposed site, and to make sure that existing roads and junctions will have adequate capacity to carry the development traffic. A number of traffic surveys were carried out, including traffic counts and speed surveys. In particular, these surveys were considered for the selection of site entrances. A separate Road Safety Audit of the proposed entrance locations was also carried out to assess any safety considerations relating to the entrance design. These entrances have been designed to a high standard to mitigate any risks. An accessibility assessment of the site for cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users has also taken place. Prior to construction commencing and to maintain a steady traffic flow during the construction phase, a comprehensive Traffic Management Plan will be agreed with the County Councils. This will be informed by extensive traffic counts and speed surveys. There will be minimum disruption during the build, as the solar panels are to be located on private lands and installed using tried and tested techniques. Under-road cables will be laid on a rolling dig-bury-reinstate basis. The BNRG Bracklone Community Liaison Officer will be available to respond to any queries during the construction phase.
Visual amenity: You told us you wanted to protect the visual surroundings of properties and in the local environment	Visual impact has been a key consideration in our project design, and we have undertaken an extensive Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) for this site. A very low density of solar panels is being proposed. The site has been selected as being naturally well-screened by local topography, hedgerows and buffer zones. In response to feedback during the public consultation, the final design will include enhanced hedgerows. Where hedgerows adjoin public roads, internal perimeter fencing and additional setbacks for solar panels will be provided. We plan to further enhance this screening where needed in consultation with our specialist landscape and visual consultants. This will preserve the natural quality of the local landscape and view from the surrounding premises. As part of our community engagement, our Community Liaison Officer and BNRG Project Lead have had a series of follow up discussions with local residents (including on site) to assess potential individual visual impacts.
Noise impact: Questions were asked about possible sound from the solar array	We have conducted detailed sound studies to reduce or eliminate any residual impacts on the environment within the area of the panels on the site. A detailed noise report will be included in our planning application. The expected noise and vibration impact during the construction and operational phases have been assessed as part of this. In response to your feedback, we have adjusted the final design to relocate some of the inverters to reduce potential noise impacts on local properties. The revised placement of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and inverters has been determined in accordance with best practice international guidelines for noise and vibration. The locations have been selected to minimise any potential impact on neighbouring properties.
Population health: Concerns relating to the impact of solar panels on health	We acknowledge concerns raised by local residents regarding the potential health impacts of living near solar panels. In response, we have liaised directly with manufacturers to respond to specific queries, and we have reviewed the latest research and guidance from internationally recognised health and regulatory bodies. These organisations have concluded that there is no evidence of adverse health effects associated with the operation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, including electromagnetic fields (EMF). Solar panels are passive devices, generating electricity without combustion or chemical processes, and do not emit harmful substances during operation. The final design and layout of the BNRG Bracklone solar development also adheres to all relevant Irish and EU health and safety regulations, including recommended separation distances from homes and public areas.
Community Benefit Fund: You asked us how community funding would be managed and distributed within the local community	We are keen to work with the community to see BNRG Bracklone 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 €800,000 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 Community Benefit Fund locally.