Tipperary County Council grants permission for 42.7-hectare solar farm at Rathduff, Thomastown Demesne South, Co. Tipperary

In context

It is one of 20 solar farm applications Tipperary 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 August 2026. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

RED III development which will consist of an amendment to a previously consented development (planning reference PL92.313424) comprising the reconfiguration and enlargement of the permitted substation layout from c. 24.0m x 19.0m compound with an enlarged compound (c. 54.1m x 25.9m), to include a Solar Farm (IP) section and an ESB section, containing control rooms, power quality equipment, transformers and a 12m x 12m hardstanding area. The development includes ancillary infrastructure such as 2.44m high palisade fencing, lighting, CCTV and internal access tracks, as well as a minor reconfiguration of the permitted solar array, involving the removal of 11 tables of solar panels to accommodate the revised substation footprint. All other infrastructure of the development permitted under PL92.313424 remain unchanged. 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