Clare County Council refuses permission for 60 MW solar farm at Ballycunneen Drumline Ballycasey More, Co. Clare

In context

It is one of 9 solar farm applications Clare County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 337 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 17 December 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.

for a proposed solar farm development which is located across the townlands of Ballycunneen, Drumline, Ballycasey More, Clonmoney West, Firgrove, and Ardkyle, in County Clare. The development will consist of: • Linear arrays of solar PV panels on ground mounted steel supported structures with associated cabling and ducting (including underground cable grid connection to the Drumline 110kV substation); • 2 no. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) locations associated with interconnecting cable routes; • 11 no. proposed single storey MV stations; • A co-located Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) installation (including 20 No. containers with cells and 5no. containers with PCS MV stations); • Site perimeter fencing; • Palisade double security gates at all temporary (3No.) and permanent (3 Nno.). site entrances; • Site access tracks including passing and turning bays; • On-site pole mounted CCTV cameras; • 2no. temporary construction compound/carpark/material storage areas with associated temporary site offices, parking areas and security fencing; • 8 no. steel storage containers; • 5 no. turning bays; • 3 no. temporary construction stage wheel wash systems; • Temporary soil storage areas; and • All associated and ancillary works. The proposed solar farm development spans a total site area measuring 98ha. Permission is sought for a period of 10 years with an operational period of 40 years. The total capacity of Solar PV on the site is estimated to be up to 60MW. The development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413). x YES NO If YES above, important to note that the planning application is subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply. An Appropriate Assessment Screening Report (AASR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared for this development and submitted with this planning application