Laois County Council grants permission for 5-hectare solar farm at Ridge Road, Ballytegan, Co. Laois

In context

It is one of 4 solar farm applications Laois 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 development description, as lodged

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

construct - An additional Stormwater Storage Tank • A new inlet works • Three Primary Settlement Tanks • Three new Aeration Tanks • Four new Final Settlement Tanks • The decommissioning and demolishing of two existing Final Settlement Tanks • Two new Tertiary Filters • A Sludge Storage Tank for primary sludge • An additional centrifuge for Sludge Dewatering • Minor chambers and sumps • Odour control measures • Solar PV panels • A Biodiversity Enhancement Area • Ancillary infrastructure as follows: o A new 2.4m high security fence o Site lighting o Internal roads and footpaths o Control and automation upgrades o An electrical supply upgrade