Dublin City Council refuses permission for 55-hectare solar farm at 60-66, Glasnevin Hill, Dublin

In context

It is one of 32 solar farm applications Dublin City 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 7 July 2025. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Dublin City Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

Permission is sought for a mixed-use development on lands at Nos. 60-66 Glasnevin Hill, Dublin 9, (excluding the existing real estate unit located at ground floor level of No. 64 Glasnevin Hill). Consisting of: No. 60 (D09DF30); No. 62a (D09 CC01); No. 62b (D09 X9TR) (located at first floor level above unit Nos. 64 and 66); No. 62 (D09 PX05); and No. 66 (D09 R882). The proposed development comprises the following(i) the demolition of the existing buildings on the site comprising part single-storey, part two-storey ‘Washerwoman’ restaurant at No. 60 (D09 DF30) and No. 62a (D09 CC01); 2-bed apartment at No. 62b (D09 X9TR) (located at first floor level above unit Nos. 64 and 66); single-storey childcare unit at No. 62 (D09 PX05); and single-storey pizzeria unit at No. 66 (D09 R882); (ii) the construction of a 5-storey over basement, with lift overrun and stairs above, mixed-use development consisting of the following: (a) Basement level providing bicycle storage (31 no. spaces inclusive of 2 no. cargo bicycle spaces). Access to the basement is provided via a lift from Glasnevin Hill on the northern elevation of the site and an internal residents lift within the building. Ground floor level restaurant to replace the existing Washerwoman restaurant, with pedestrian access provided from Glasnevin Hill. A second pedestrian access from the rear is also proposed serving as an emergency exit and access to bin storage. The restaurant will comprise a seating area, kitchen, dry goods room, cold room, staff changing room, toilets, bin store and store/office. The ground floor level will also accommodate 2 no. apartment lobbies, lift shaft, and refuse storage which will serve the residential units at upper floors. Pedestrian access to the apartments will be provided from Glasnevin Hill. (b) provision of 16 no. apartments, comprising 12 no. one-bed apartments and 4 no. two-bed apartments from 1st to 4th floor levels. Each apartment is provided with an area of private amenity space in the form of a private balcony. Communal open space has been provided at roof level in the form of a 110sq.m terrace area. (iii) The development will also include landscaping; boundary treatments; the provision of SuDS measures, solar panels and all ancillary works necessary to facilitate the development.