Wicklow County Council grants permission for 1-hectare solar farm at Glendalough Hermitage Centre, Brockagh Laragh Glendalough, Co. Wicklow

In context

It is one of 13 solar farm applications Wicklow County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 352 nationally. Of the 563 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 2 November 2026. 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.

RED III application Level 3- a relevant solar energy development comprising: a) The relocation, repositioning, and reconfiguration of the permitted ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (pv) installation (comprising 84 No. solar pv panels) from a single row into two parallel ground-mounted arrays, previously granted planning permission under Planning Register Reference Number 24/60730; b) the installation of a solar pv panel array on the roof of the existing coach house and c) a solar panel system on each of the roofs of two newly constructed hermitage units; together with a revision to the site boundary and all associated site works, this development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413) and it is important to note that the planning application may be subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply