34.8-hectare solar farm proposed at Luffany Murtaghstown Curraghmore, in, 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 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 a 10 Year Planning Permission for a solar farm with a total area of circa 35 hectares in the townlands of Luffany, Murtaghstown, Curraghmore, Rathpatrick, Ballinlaw, and Drumdowney Upper in County Kilkenny. The solar farm will consist of solar panels on ground mounted frames, 6 no. single storey electrical inverter/transformer stations, 2 no. single storey spare parts containers, 5 no. battery storage containers, 1 no. Ring Main Unit, 3 no. weather stations, underground electrical ducting and cabling within the development site, private lands and L-3415, L-3414, L-3433 public roads (including 1 no. Horizontal Directional Drill under the Flour Mill Bridge) to connect solar farm field parcels, security and acoustic fencing, CCTV, access tracks, 3 no. stream/drain deck crossings, 2 no. temporary construction compounds, landscaping and all associated ancillary development and drainage works. Construction and operational vehicle access will be via 3 no. entrances from the L-3415. Sections of the proposed underground electrical cabling will traverse the solar farm proposed under Kilkenny County Council Reference 25/60391 / An Coimisiún Pleanála Reference PL10.500967, but will not alter infrastructure proposed under that application. 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. The NIS includes an assessment of the grid connection for the solar farm project comprising a 110kV electricity substation and ‘loop-in / loop-out’ underground 110kV cable grid connection which will connect into the existing Great Island to Waterford overhead line which has been lodged to An Coimisiún Pleanála (VA10.323985) and is situated in the townland of Rathpatrick, County Kilkenny. This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413) and it is important to note that the planning application may be subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply