164-hectare solar farm proposed at in, Co. Meath

In context

It is one of 17 solar farm applications Meath County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 333 nationally. Of the 572 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

The five-week window for public submissions has closed. The council normally decides within eight weeks of the application being lodged, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

The development description, as lodged

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

a 10 Year Planning Permission for a solar farm and energy storage compound with a total area of circa 164 hectares in the townlands of Fyanstown, Hurdlestown, Kilmainham, Rossmeen and Sedenrath, in County Meath. The proposed development will consist of a solar farm comprising of c. 960,000 sq.m of solar photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames, associated string inverters mounted to rear of panels and 48 no. single storey electrical transformer stations and 1 no. medium voltage control/switching substation. The energy storage compound will consist of 70 no. containerised energy storage modules and associated plant and equipment, 35 no. transformers and 5 no. auxiliary transformers, 2 no. spare parts containers and 1. no. medium voltage control/switching substation. The overall project will also consist of underground electrical ducting and cabling within the development site and within the R163 and R147 public roads, Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) crossing of the Blackwater River, temporary construction compounds, security fencing, CCTV, access tracks, landscaping, drainage and all ancillary development works and apparatus necessary to facilitate the proposed development. Construction and operational access will be via 3 no. existing entrances from the R147 and R163 which will be upgraded. The operational lifespan of the solar farm will be 40 years and planning permission is requested for this duration. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application