2-hectare solar farm proposed at Lea/Clonanny, Portarlington, 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 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 Laois County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

construct & operate a photovoltaic solar farm over an area of 2 hectares comprising of photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames, a switch room building, Perimeter fencing, with underground ducting routes, landscaping, using existing entrance along with all associated ancillary development works. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been submitted with this application on request of 177T (5)