Cavan County Council grants permission for 41.2-hectare solar farm at Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan

In context

It is one of 6 solar farm applications Cavan County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 339 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 22 July 2026. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

- RED III - for a solar energy development comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, mounted on steel support structures, underground cabling, temporary construction compound, erection of 3 Transformer stations (11)kV, laying of a permeable gravel access tracks, widening of existing field entrances, erection of CCTV poles and cameras, erection of entrance gates and perimeter fencing, landscaping and biodiversity measures all associated ancillary development works, for the purpose of generation renewable energy electricity. Planning Permission is sought for a 40-year operation of the solar farm following which the site will be decommissioned, all development removed and the Site restored to agricultural lands. SIGNIFICANT FURTHER INFORMATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED