Louth County Council grants permission for 7.6-hectare solar farm at Mounthamilton Lisnawully and Farrandreg, Co. Louth

In context

It is one of 7 solar farm applications Louth County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 349 nationally. Of the 562 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 October 2026. 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.

Permission to amend a previously granted cable route (Planning Reference Louth County Council: Ref. 22/453) for development at this site in the townlands of Kilcurly, Thomastown, Donaghmore, Mounthamilton, Lisnawully and Farrandreg. The development will consist of the laying of underground 38kV medium voltage electrical cables with associated ducting, 5 no. joint bays, with associated communication chambers and ancillary development within the R178 and An Bothair Dara public roads for a distance of approximately 4.090 meters. Approximately 560 m of cabling will be on private lands associated with the permitted Kilcurly Solar Farm. The underground cable is intended to connect the permitted 38kV substation in Kilcurly Solar Farm, in Kilcurly townland, with the Dundalk 110kV ESB substation, in Farrandreg townland. The solar farm and 38kV substation were granted permission by An Bord Pleanála (PL 15.309224) on the 2nd of November 2021. This followed the notification of provisional grant of planning permission from Louth County Council (Ref. 20/187) for Kilcurly Solar Farm. Permission is sought for a period of 10 years. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the Application