Kilkenny County Council grants permission for 58.3-hectare solar farm at Ballyconra Parksgrove and Moatpark, Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny

In context

It is one of 14 solar farm applications Kilkenny County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 351 nationally. Of the 572 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 29 February 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

for the Proposed installation of a network connection and grid connection, and minor amendments to solar farms previously approved under planning application references 17/669 and 22/126. The proposed development will consist of the installation of a 33kV network connection between the solar farms approved under planning application references 17/669 and 22/126 comprising: c. 921m of overhead line and 9 No. wooden poles; onward connection of said approved solar farms to Ballyragget 38kV Substation by installation of a 38kV cable comprising c. 786m of underground cable and c. 395m of overhead line on 5 No. wooden poles; amendments to solar farm approved under planning reference 17/669 comprising removal of substation and replacement with solar panels; amendments to the layout of the substation approved under planning reference 22/126, and all associated site works