Carlow County Council grants permission for 91.2-hectare solar farm at Grangeford Old and Friarstown, Co. Carlow

In context

It is one of 2 solar farm applications Carlow County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 333 nationally. Of the 572 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 22 August 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues. The applicant sought a 10-year permission, which sets how long they have to start the development.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Carlow County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

10-year permission. The development will consist of the construction of (i) a Solar PV development comprising photovoltaic panels laid out in arrays over a total development site area of ca. 91.2ha, (ii) the construction of a 38kV substation building ((6.1m (h) x 20.9 (l) and 7.3 (w)) and associated compound area, a transformer unit (ca. 6m x ca. 3.6m) and associated bund, (iii) 352 number Battery Energy Storage System units comprising 22 modules (ca. 21.9m x ca.5.2m) each with 16 number cabinet units within each module and (iv) all ancillary development including 15 number transformer integrated units (ca. 10.5m x ca.2.7m), 12 number inverter units (ca. 6.0m x ca.2.4m), 7 number CCTV cameras mounted on 4m high poles, a 3m high acoustic barrier, with berm and fencing, perimeter security fencing, site access, site egress and all ancillary works and services. The development will have a 40-year operational lifetime. Permission currently exists for a PV development on ca/65.6ha of the site (Planning Permission Ref No. 21/23) that will be superseded by this application if approved