1.3-hectare solar farm proposed at Deerpark Quarry Abelstown, Slane, Co. Meath

In context

It is one of 17 solar farm applications Meath County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 337 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.

RED III APPLICATION- The development will consist of the following: the installation of ground mounted Photovoltaic Panels on existing lands, a cabin structure, connection to existing facility electrical infrastructure, together with all ancillary site development works at Deerpark Quarry, Abelstown, Slane, Co. Meath. This planning application is accompanied by an Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening Report. This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413) and it is important to note that the planning application may be 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 Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of— (a) 5 weeks, or (b) 2 weeks, in the case of a planning application for small-scale solar energy equipment development or development that is the installation of a small-scale non-ground source heat pump, beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.