Meath County Council grants permission for 6.6-hectare solar farm at Dunshaughlin Community College, Drumree Road Knocks, Co. Meath

In context

It is one of 17 solar farm applications Meath County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 339 nationally. Of the 573 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 14 July 2026. 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.

the construction of a new 2 and 3 storey 11,405m2 extension on the site of 3 no. existing single storey college buildings at the site of Dunshaughlin Community College, Drumree Road, Knocks, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, A85 TY22. With roof mounted photovoltaic panel arrays, heat pumps and air handling unit; 98 no. new carparking spaces and 5 no. new coach spaces to the east and north of the proposed extension; covered bicycle shelters for 140 no. bicycles; realignment and upgrading of the internal vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian routes serving the existing College and the existing Community Sports Centre to the south, approximately 500m2 single storey temporary college accommodation to the south west of the existing college buildings; external store building; 5 no. new hardcourts to the south of the site; new pedestrian and vehicular entrance gates to the existing Drumree Road college entrance; formation of a temporary construction access route through Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels GAA Club to the west which will be removed upon completion of the proposed development, new site lighting and associated ancillary hard and soft landscaping works. The development will include the demolition of 3 no. existing single storey college buildings on the site, which are currently in use for education only. These will be demolished on a phased basis to accommodate the development