Kilkenny County Council grants permission for 189-hectare solar farm at Atateemore or Blackneys Ballyhobuck, Co. Kilkenny

In context

It is one of 13 solar farm applications Kilkenny County 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 13 February 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 Kilkenny County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

a 10 Year Planning Permission for a solar farm with a total area of circa 189 hectares in the townlands of Atateemore or Blackneys, Ballyhobuck, Ballyrahan, Carriganurra, Charlestown, Davidstown, Drumdowney Lower, Drumdowney Upper, Gorteens, Grogan, Kilmurry, Nicholastown, Rathpatrick, Scartnamoe, Tinvaucoosh and Treanaree in County Kilkenny. The solar farm will consist of solar panels on ground mounted frames, 27 no. single storey electrical inverter/transformer stations, 5 no. single storey spare parts containers, 3 no. Ring Main Units, 5 no. weather stations, underground electrical ducting and cabling within the development site, private lands and within the L3429, L7523, L7563, L7469, L3407, L3414, L34144, L7466, L3406, L7483, L3415, N25 and N29 public roads to connect solar farm field parcels, security fencing, CCTV, access tracks, 7 no. watercourse/drain deck crossings and 4 no. horizontal directional drill crossings (under the N25 and N29 public roads and the Luffany River), temporary construction compounds, landscaping and all associated ancillary development and drainage works. Construction and operational access will be via 7 no. existing entrances from the L3429, L7469, L7466, L4783 and L34142 which will be subject to entrance upgrade works. Separate construction phase access options are proposed for Parcel 4 via Port of Waterford and the L4783. The operational lifespan of the solar farm will be 40 years and planning permission is requested for this duration. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application