Meath County Council grants permission for 35.8-hectare solar farm at Milltown and Cortown, near Kells, Co. Meath

In context

It is one of 16 solar farm applications Meath County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 351 nationally. Of the 572 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 19 April 2024. 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 Meath County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

The development will consist of: A 10-year permission for the development of a solar farm on a site of 35.81 hectares consisting of the following: 211,320 sqm of solar photovoltaic panels on ground mounted steel frames; 6 hardstanding locations for electrical skids; new internal access tracks; underground power and communications cables and ducts ; a new access from the L6835 public road; access gates; landscaping and biodiversity enhancement measures; boundary fencing and all associated ancillary development, site works and services. The solar farm will be operational for 40 years. Installation of underground electrical cabling and associated infrastructure within the public road corridor along the L6835 public road for approximately 10 metres to connect into the permitted underground cabling associated with the permitted ‘Milltown Solar Farm (Meath County Council Reg. Ref. 21396 & An Bord Pleanála Case Number: PL17.311460) which is located to the north of the site within the townland of Milltown. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of the proposed development and will be submitted to the planning authority with the application