Carlow County Council refuses permission for 132.2-hectare solar farm at lands including Straboe and, Co. Carlow

In context

It is one of 2 solar farm applications Carlow County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 335 nationally. Of the 573 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 24 July 2025. 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.

a 10 year planning permission on lands including Straboe and Killerig, Carlow, Co. Carlow. The development will consist of permission for a Solar PV Energy Development with associated Battery Energy Storage System Compound with a total site area of c. 132.28ha, to include solar panels mounted on steel support structures, associated cabling and ducting, inverters, transformers, switchgear substations, auxiliary transformer, permanent storage containers, monitoring houses, composting toilet, BESS customer substation, battery blocks, BESS inverters and PCS (twin skid), BESS interface cabinets (BIC), backup generator, temporary construction compounds, tracks, boundary security fencing and security gates, CCTV, landscaping and ancillary works, with a 40year operational period. It is proposed that the Proposed Development will be accessed from four separate access points which will include (i) a new access created off the R726; (ii) a new entrance off Straboe Lane; (iii) a widened and improved existing entrance off Straboe lane; and (iv) use of an existing and previously consented entrance off the R418. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been submitted to the Planning Authority with the Application