149-hectare solar farm proposed at Chamberstown Scottstown Shalvanstown, Mullagha Rathcoon, Co. Meath

In context

It is one of 17 solar farm applications Meath County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 335 nationally. Of the 573 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.

We, Circal Oak Solar Limited, intend to apply for permission for development on lands in the townlands of Chamberstown, Scottstown, Shalvanstown, Mullagha, Rathcoon and Corballis, County Meath (the Proposed Development). The Proposed Development comprises the following – • Construction and operation of up to 559,033 sqm of solar PV arrays on ground-mounted metal frames, with a maximum overall height of up to 2.96 metres. • Internal underground trenching, electrical cabling and ducting between the solar PV arrays and electrical invertor / transformer skid units. • Up to 21 no. electrical inverter / transformer skid units. • Construction and operational access to the site by 3 no. site entrances using 2 no. existing field access points 1 no. new access point. • 3 no. temporary construction compound and ancillary facilities for the duration of the construction phase of the project. • Provision of single storey substation control building of 217 sqm and associated works. • 33kV collector cable network, joint bays and associated works. • Internal access tracks, site landscaping and drainage works, security fencing, CCTV and all associated ancillary site development works. • The decommissioning and reinstatement of the solar farm at the end of its operational life. A 10-year planning permission and a 40-year operational life from the date of commissioning of the entire solar farm is being sought. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and accompanies the planning application. The NIS assesses both the construction and operation of the Proposed Development, as well as integral elements of the wider project infrastructure, comprising the construction and operation of a 110kV substation compound, control building, 110kV transformer, 110kV cabling, joint bays, future grid connection and associated works (located in the townlands of Rathcoon, Kilberry, Castletown Kilberry, and Silloge), all of which are essential infrastructure associated with the operation of the Proposed Development and will be the subject of a separate, future SID planning application to the relevant consenting authority. The development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive 2023/2413) [X] YES [ ] NO. The planning application is subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Devel