Laois County Council grants permission for 11.9-hectare solar farm at Ballymacken, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

In context

It is one of 4 solar farm applications Laois 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 applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 23 June 2025. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

to construct, operate and decommission a photovoltaic solar farm over an area of 2 hectares comprising of photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames, a switch room building, Perimeter fencing, hardcore access tracks with underground ducting routes, landscaping, new site entrance and access road to solar farm and existing sawmill facility, surface water drainage with underground attenuation tank, revision of existing site boundaries along with all associated ancillary development works. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been submitted with this application.