Kildare County Council refuses permission for 173.3-hectare solar farm at Cadamstown, Ballina Clonuff and Garrisker, Co. Kildare

In context

It is one of 12 solar farm applications Kildare 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 15 October 2025. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

for a period of 10 years to construct and complete a solar PV Energy Development with a total site area of 173.3 hectares comprising of transformer stations and GRP enclosures, solar PV ground mounted on support structures, temporary construction compounds, access tracks (existing, new and upgraded), perimeter fencing, electrical cabling and ducting, CCTV and other ancillary grid infrastructure and associated works. The solar farm would be operational for 40 years. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted with the application. The export capacity to the grid is estimated be c. 118MEC AC. Revised by Significant Further Information which consists of: An amended haul route which incorporates 8 passing bays (7 on the L5006 and one on the unnamed road west of the Application Site)