Neo Environmental were involved in various stages of the 100MW Gorman Energy Storage Facility (ESF) from initial constraint analysis and site suitability assessment to planning and condition compliance. Our planning and environmental team had to manage a number of constraints including flood risk, archaeology, visual impacts and access and transport in order to achieve consent for one of the largest battery storage projects in Ireland.

As part of the planning work Neo environmental initially worked with the client Renewable Energy Systems (RES) to design an appropriate scheme whish is well screened, with very limited impacts on the environment. The project was then purchased by Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) and Neo Environmental completed two new applications for a re-designed project, to include all grid connection woks such as a new 110kV substation bay components.

A Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) screening application was also submitted on behalf of Scottish Power Renewables to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) for the grid and substation works. The various planning applications were all consented within the statutory timeframes and Neo Environmental also discharged all of the planning conditions. At the time of writing the battery storage project is under construction with Neo Environmental providing Ecological Clerks of Works (ECow) and Archaeology Clerks of Works (ACoW). During the archaeology works our team of archaeologists uncovered a number of interesting prehistoric and medieval features and finds including pottery, flint tools, post-holes, pits and burnt spreads. We look forward to seeing the completed development in due course.