Westmeath County Council grants permission for 1.8-hectare solar farm at Culleenagower, Moate, Co. Westmeath

In context

It is one of 7 solar farm applications Westmeath 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 5 October 2023. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

development consisting of permission for a period of 10 years to construct and complete a Solar PV development with new access tracks, temporary construction compound and client substation and all ancillary grid infrastructure and associated works. The solar farm would be operational for 40 years. The proposed site area transverses the Westmeath County and Offaly County administrative boundaries resulting in a breakdown of areas as follows: 1.8 hectares of the total site area including the access track, temporary construction compound and client substation, is located in Culleenagower, Moate, Co. Westmeath and the remaining 21.6 hectares for the associated Solar Farm is located at Lurgan, Moate, County Offaly and is subject to a concurrent application submitted to Offaly County Council. A Natura Impact Statement has been submitted with this planning application