Louth County Council grants permission for 108.6-hectare solar farm at Derrycammagh Bawn and Castlebellingham, Co. Louth

In context

It is one of 4 solar farm applications Louth 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 16 January 2026. 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 Louth County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

Permission sought for of a 10 year permission for a Solar PV Energy Development with associated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Compound with a total site area of c. 108.6 ha, to include solar panels mounted on steel support structures, associated cabling and ducting, inverters, transformers, switchgear substations, auxiliary transformer, permanent storage containers, monitoring houses, composting toilet, BESS customer substation, battery blocks, BESS inverters and Power Conversion System (PCS) twin skid, BESS interface cabinets (BIC), backup generator, temporary construction compounds, tracks, boundary security fencing and security gates, CCTV, landscaping and ancillary works including a sheep pen, with a 40 year operational period. Construction access to the development will be via an upgraded and widened access point off the R166, together with a newly created access and a widened existing access off Derrycammagh Lane (south off L51774). Operation and Maintenance of the development will be from 1no. existing access point off Derrycammagh Lane, south of the L51774 local road. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been submitted to the Planning Authority with the Application