Carlow County Council grants permission for 1-hectare solar farm at Adjacent to the Royal, 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 12 May 2025. 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.

The development will consist of a new Wastewater Pumping Station, two new kiosks (kiosk one 3.6m x 0.8m and kiosk two 2m x 1.8m, each 1.8m high), a new 50m3 below-ground storage tank, ground mounted solar PV array (30m2 total), new palisade perimeter fencing and gate (each 2.4m high), all on a site of 0.04 ha; the widening of the existing access road and the existing access to the R724, associated demolition of existing boundary wall and gate; a new 100mm diameter rising main (360m) and 225mm gravity sewer (190m) on the R724 between the proposed pumping station and Royal Oak Road; and all ancillary works. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the planning authority with the application