25.1-hectare solar farm proposed at Castleblunden Drakeland Middle Clonmoran, Co. Kilkenny

In context

It is one of 13 solar farm applications Kilkenny 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 five-week window for public submissions has closed. The council normally decides within eight weeks of the application being lodged, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

The development description, as lodged

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

for development at this site. The development will consist of planning permission for a period of 10 years to construct and complete a solar PV energy development, battery storage and grid route with a total site area of 25.1 hectares, comprising of the construction of PV panels mounted on metal frames, MV Power Stations, substation, batteries, MV stations, new access tracks, underground cabling and ducting, perimeter fencing with CCTV cameras and access gates, a temporary construction compound, 10kV underground cabling connecting the solar farm to the existing Rosehill 38kV substation, and all ancillary grid infrastructure and associated works. The development would be operational for 40 years. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of this application