Kerry County Council refuses permission for 152.6-hectare solar farm at Lacka More Parkmore Lissireen, Co. Kerry

In context

It is one of 12 solar farm applications Kerry County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 347 nationally. Of the 562 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 5 October 2026. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues. The applicant sought a 10-year permission, which sets how long they have to start the development.

The development description, as lodged

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

REDIII: The development will consist of: a 10-year permission for the development of a solar farm on an overall site of c. 152.6 hectares consisting of the following: c. 449,366 sq m of solar photovoltaic panels on ground mounted steel frames; 19 no. hardstanding locations for electrical skids; new internal access tracks with passing bays; underground power and communications cables and ducts, including along the L-6507, R557, and L-2034 public roads, 3no. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) locations associated with the underground cable route; a total of 5 no. solar farm site entrances (1no. from the R557 public road, 3no. from the L-6507 public road and 1no. from the L-10562 public road); access gates; 5no. temporary site compounds of c. 4,050 sq m each to be used for storage during construction activity; 28no. Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Containers and 7no. associated MV Stations as well as associated CCTV, BESS compound fencing, gate, boundary fencing and all associated ancillary drainage development, site works and services. The solar farm will be operational for 40 years. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of the proposed development and will be submitted to the planning authority with the application.