Meath County Council grants permission for 188.9-hectare solar farm at Rahill Drumman & Knockcommon, Co. Meath

In context

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

a ten year permission and 35 year operation life for a solar farm described herein. The total site area for the proposed development is 188.9 hectares consisting of the following: solar photovoltaic panels on ground mounted steel frames and associated hard standing, inverter/transformer stations, underground power and communication cables and ducts, boundary security fence, CCTV cameras, upgraded internal access tracks, new internal access tracks, 2 no. new site entrances along the L5608 local road, underground electrical and communications cabling for approximately 700m along the L5608 local road and all associated services and development works including drainage infrastructure, temporary construction compound and landscaing. As part of a separate Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) application for consent, consent will be sought for the provision of a 110kV onsite electrical substation and associated works from An Bord Pleanala. This planning application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement. Significant further information/revised plans sbumitted on this application