Westmeath County Council grants permission for 140-hectare solar farm at Toor Commons Ballysallagh (Fox), Co. Westmeath

In context

It is one of 7 solar farm applications Westmeath County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 333 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 10 September 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues. The applicant sought a 10-year permission, which sets how long they have to start the development.

The development description, as lodged

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

development which will consist/consists of: a 10-year permission for the development of a solar farm on a site of 140 hectares consisting of the following: 781,578sqm of solar photovoltaic panels on ground mounted steel frames; 17 hardstanding locations for the installation of electrical skids; new internal access tracks; underground power and communications cables and ducts, including along the L-5802, R-393, L-5913, L-1811 and the L-5808 public roads; a new access point and an upgrade to an existing access point along the R-393 public road and a new access point along the L-5808 public road; landscaping and biodiversity enhancement measures; boundary fencing; and all associated ancillary development, site works and services. The solar farm will be operational for 40 years