Wicklow County Council grants permission for 36.4-hectare solar farm at Lands within the townland, Co. Wicklow

In context

It is one of 11 solar farm applications Wicklow County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 351 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 16 April 2024. 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.

to amend the design of the approved development (Planning Reference: 17/1497) which comprises a Solar PV Energy Development. Proposed amendments include (1) change in location and size of substation, (2) two additional temporary construction compounds will be located at the site entrances, (3) the number of modules will decrease, (4) the number of pile driven poles will decrease, (5) the size and number of transformer stations will increase, (6) the total fencing area will increase (7) the total amount of fencing posts will increase, (8) up to 21 CCTV cameras will be installed (9) access tracks will be optimised and increased in width and length, and (10) increase in operational lifetime from 25 years to 35years