Louth County Council grants permission for 2.2-hectare solar farm at Dundalk, Co. Louth

In context

It is one of 4 solar farm applications Louth County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 329 nationally. Of the 571 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 25 July 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

EXTENSION OF DURATION OF ABP REF. ABP-303891-19 (Amended by ABP-306503-20) FOR AN SHD (Strategic Housing Development):. Application to An Bord Pleanala: Permission for a STRATEGIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT to consist of 142 No. apartments (52 no. 1 bed, 64 no. 2 bed, and 20 no. 3 bed) in five buildings, ranging in height from two to five storey on a site measuring 2.16 hectares including a crèche (122sqm) and community room (122sqm.) together with parking, roadways and ancillary site works including works to the public road, landscaping and boundary treatments. Provision is made for the installation of solar/photovoltaic panels on the roofs of each building the direction of which will depend on orientation. The application also includes a new vehicular access via a roadway and new entrance off the R215 Inner Relief Road (This access was permitted under P.A. Ref. 16/803 (ABP Ref. 15.247927) and a dedicated pedestrian/cycle link to Dublin Road (R132). The application contains a statement setting out how the proposal will be consistent with the objectives of the Dundalk and Environs Development Plan 2009-2015 (as varied and extended). and the Louth County Development Plan 2015-2021). The application may be inspected online at the following website set up by the applicant: www.finnabairsouth.ie ABP Opinion 10.12.18