Wicklow County Council refuses permission for 27.2-hectare solar farm at Ballymoney, Arklow, Co. Wicklow

In context

It is one of 10 solar farm applications Wicklow County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 335 nationally. Of the 573 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 8 July 2025. 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.

period of 10 years for a proposed solar farm and BESS (battery energy storage system) development which will consist of the construction of PV panels mounted on metal frames, inverters, battery storage infrastructure (BESS units, and MV Stations), new access tracks, underground cabling, perimeter fencing with CCTV cameras and access gates, a temporary construction compound, a substation and all ancillary grid infrastructure and associated works. It is proposed to use the consented Ballymoney Solar Farm access point (Pl Ref: 19/627 and ABP Ref: 305289-19). The solar farm and BESS would be operational for 40 years. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted with this application