Wicklow County Council grants permission for 6.4-hectare solar farm at Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew, Co. Wicklow

In context

It is one of 11 solar farm applications Wicklow 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 6 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 Wicklow County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

the proposed development will consist of: demolition of the existing one to two storey school building (c. 4,961sq.m) and removal of temporary classroom accommodation (c. 1,081sq.m) and ball courts; refurbishment of the existing 1930’s school building (c. 200sq.m) and provision of a new extension (c. 13sq.m), for use as a school library; construction of a two to four storey school building (c. 10,872sq.m), including classrooms, a Special Education Needs (SEN) unit with a secured rooftop play area, general purpose hall, multi-use hall, and administrative and ancillary spaces with solar photovoltaic panels at roof level; development of external play and amenity areas including the provision of 2 no. new ball courts, a multi-use games area, an external landscaped amphitheatre, and a sports pitch; upgrade of the existing vehicular entrance at the north-east of the site off the R725 regional road and relocation of the existing vehicular entrance at the north-west of the site off the R725 regional road; provision of a new pedestrian entrance off the R725 regional road; provision of a new set-down area adjoining the R725 regional road for cars and school buses; removal of c. 60 no. existing car parking spaces and provision of 92 no. car spaces including 1 no. electric vehicle parking space and 5 no. accessible parking spaces; provision of 200 no. sheltered bicycle parking spaces; provision of a maintenance/service access road serving the rear of the school building; construction of an external store and covered work area (c. 78sq.m) and bin store; provision of landscaping, boundary treatments and lighting; provision of associated drainage, attenuation and other site services including the provision of an ESB substation and switch room; provision of a temporary construction access road from the L7390 local road to be removed on completion of the proposed works; and all related site development works. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the planning application