Clare County Council grants permission for 99.2-hectare solar farm at Manusmore, Clarecastle, Co. Clare

In context

It is one of 9 solar farm applications Clare 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 3 November 2025. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

to Extend the Appropriate Period of Planning permission for P20/562 the development will consist of a planning permission for a period of 5 years to construct and complete a Solar PV Energy development with a total site area of 99.2 hectares, to include a single storey electrical substation building, electrical transformer and invertor station modules, solar PV panels ground mounted on support structures, internal access tracks, security fencing, electrical cabling and ducting, CCTV and other ancillary infrastructure, drainage, additional landscaping and habitat enhancement as required and associated site development works including works relating to the access to the site. The Solar farm will be operational for 35 years. A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared in respect of this planning application