Roscommon County Council grants permission for 11.9-hectare solar farm at Rathleg, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon

In context

It is one of 9 solar farm applications Roscommon County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 349 nationally. Of the 572 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 7 December 2023. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

Permission for development which will consist of the extension of the operational lifespan of a solar farm permitted by Roscommon County Council under Planning Register Ref. PD/17/295 from 30 No. years as permitted to 40 No. years. This proposed extension of the operational lifespan will consist of a material change in the use of the land from agricultural use to solar farm use and will maintain the permitted solar farm structures on site during the extended operational period from 30 to 40 years at