Monaghan County Council grants permission for 7.1-hectare solar farm at Beech Hill College, Dubin Road, Co. Monaghan

In context

It is the only solar farm application Monaghan 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 applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 15 April 2025. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

permission for development consisting of: a) Minor amendments to the elevational treatments to the previously permitted planning application (Reference: 22/510) b) The construction of a new two-storey extension linked to the existing post-primary school consisting of 6 no. general classrooms, 1 no. construction studies room with a preparation area, 2 no. science laboratories with a preparation area, 1 no. specialist classroom, 4 no. tuition rooms and 3 no. classbase special educational need suite and ancillary accommodation (total area = 2,230m², no change to previously permitted planning reference: 22/510) c) The installation of a solar PV array of 32 panels each of which are 1800mm x 1100mm with a total peak output of 12.8kW. d) The installation of polyester powder-coated individual lettering pin-mounted on spacers raised off the surface and rear illuminated (LED) to the north elevation of the proposed extension e) and associated ancillary site works (no change to previously permitted planning reference: 22/510)