Carlow County Council grants permission for 77-hectare solar farm at Baungephlure and Friarstown, Killerig, Co. Carlow

In context

It is one of 2 solar farm applications Carlow County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 349 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 25 October 2023. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

a ten-year planning permission for a solar energy development with a total site area of 77 hectares comprising (i) photovoltaic solar panels on steel mounting frames; (ii) electrical inverters; (iii) electrical power stations; (iv) underground electrical and communications cabling; (v) containerised battery energy storage facility; (vi) the upgrade of 2 no. disused site entrances, decommissioning of 2 no. existing site entrances and development of 1 no. new site entrance; (vii) on-site access tracks; (viii) a temporary construction compound; (ix) security fencing and security gates; (x) pole-mounted security cameras; and (xi) all associated site and ancillary site development, landscaping and reinstatement works. The operational lifetime of the proposed development is 35-years. The planning application is accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Report and an Appropriate Assessment Screening Report