Dublin City Council grants permission for 1,502-hectare solar farm at Saint Catherines, 87 Ailesbury Road, Dublin

In context

It is one of 32 solar farm applications Dublin City 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 February 2026. 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.

PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The development consists of the conservation, refurbishment, reconfiguration and extension of St Catherine's. The extensions to St Catherine's consists of single storey split level flat roof extension incorporating roof lantern and roof lights attached to the west side of the dwelling comprising a contemporary kitchen dining area and a separate single storey flat roof extension to the east side of the rear return comprising a library enclosing an internal courtyard. The removal of the existing single storey shed along the west side boundary and the removal of the two storey west side return extension and the modification to the existing door and window openings at lower ground floor and upper ground floor to facilitate the kitchen extension and access to the proposed internal courtyard. Proposed new entrance to lower ground floor. Revisions to the non-historic fenestration of the existing rear two storey return. Relocation of a roof light and location of solar photovoltaic panels on the existing roof pitches facing the central valley of the main roof. Erection of a security gate to proposed side passage between the new extension and boundary of 89 Ailesbury Road and the front garden. Reduction of existing lower ground floor level, courtyard and patio site level and ancillary underpinning of the existing dwelling walls and boundary walls. Internal reconfiguration works to improve interconnection, circulation between the contemporary extension and the existing dwelling and layout of sanitary facilities and bedroom layout and reintroduction of fireplace into existing chimneybreast in the master bedroom. The proposal also includes all ancillary development associated services, landscaping, boundary treatment site and engineering works.