Meath County Council grants permission for 2.6-hectare solar farm at Staleen Water Treatment Plant, Stalleen, 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 564 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 12 October 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 proposed development consists of: A) Treatment Process Upgrades: i) Introduction of tertiary treatment on final water to improve water quality, comprising activated carbon dosing, a contact tank, a batching system, and dual storage silos; ii) Interconnecting pipelines; and iii) Sludge Treatment Enhancements comprising: a) Construction of two new washwater recovery tanks; b) Installation of new sludge pumps, return pipelines and decant systems; c) Construction of a new sludge thickening tank; d) Installation of a second sludge plate press and upgraded feed pumps; e) Extension of the sludge dewatering building; f) Replacement and upsizing of sludge pipelines. B) General Site Improvements: i) Upgrades to walkways, stairs, footpaths, and general safe access areas; ii) Improved chemical storage facilities (additional tank) with enhanced ventilation and heating; iii) Refurbishment of the backwash/blower room and relocation of electrical panels; iv) Installation of ground mounted and rooftop solar PV panels to reduce energy consumption and enhance sustainability; and v) Demolition of existing flocculation tank