Laois County Council grants permission for 249-hectare solar farm at Morett Killone, 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 18 September 2025. 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 Laois County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

develop at this site within the Townlands of Morett, Killone, Cappakeel, Rossmore and Raheennahown north, Co. Laois. The development will consist of a 10-year permission and 40-year operational life for a solar farm on 5 no. land parcels as described herein: West Parcel (A) (Morett townland), Central West Parcel (B) (Morett & Cappakeel. townlands), Centre Parcel (C) (Morett & Cappakeel. townlands), Centre East Parcel (D) (Cappakeel townland) and East Parcel (E) (Rossmore townland). The total site area for the proposed development is c. 249 hectares and consists of the following; c. 1,796,838sq. metres of solar photovoltaic panels on ground mounted steel frames; 44 no. hardstandings for electrical skids and storage; underground power and communication cables and ducts; c. 22,753m. of boundary security fencing; c. 12,915m. of new and existing internal access tracks including 2 no. open span bridge crossings; associated drainage infrastructure; 5 no. site entrances which include the upgrading of 2 no. access points onto the L3930, 1 no. new access point onto the L7815 local road and 2 no. new access points onto the L3930 local public road; 5 no. temporary construction compounds; landscaping and biodiversity enhancement measures and all associated site services and works. Installations of internal network cable comprise trenching for an underground medium voltage electrical cable and associated joint bays and infrastructure, for a distance of approximately 7,189 metres in length along the solar farm lands including 4 no. Horizonal Directional Drilling points to traverse the Dunrally stream and the local roads L3930, L3901 and L3817. A separate planning application will be made to An Bord Pleanála as part of a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID). This will include the provision of a 110kV substation with electrical control building and ancillary electrical infrastructure, associated compound with palisade fence which is to be located in the West Parcel (A) in the townland of Morett. The substation will connect to the national grid via. A LILO grid connection onsite. This planning application will be lodged with An Bord Pleanála in due course. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of the proposed development and accompanies this planning application.