Wicklow County Council grants permission for 28-hectare solar farm at Blessington, Co. Wicklow

In context

It is one of 10 solar farm applications Wicklow 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 23 September 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.

permission for a period of 10 years to construct and complete a solar PV energy development and grid route, with a total site area of 28 hectares comprising of the construction of PV panels mounted on metal frames, transformer stations, new access tracks, perimeter fencing with CCTV cameras and access gates, temporary construction compounds, 20 kV underground cabling connecting the solar farm to the existing Blessington 38kV ESB Substation, and all ancillary grid infrastructure and associated works. The solar farm would be operational for 35 years. A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared in respect of the application for planning permission