Kilkenny County Council grants permission for 25.1-hectare solar farm 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 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 25 May 2026. 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 development. 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 proposed development consists of works within the curtilage of Protected Structures Ref. C1000, C1002 and C330. The development would be operational for 40 years. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of this application