2.2-hectare solar farm proposed at Tesco Shopping Centre, Vevay Road Bray, 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

Anyone can make a submission or observation to Wicklow County Council until 1 December 2026, for a fee of €20. Only those who make a submission can later appeal the decision. The council is due to decide by 22 December 2026, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

How to make a submission

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Wicklow County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

the development will consist of: (i) demolition of all existing structures on site including the existing Tesco store and ancillary units (c. 5,332 sqm gross floor area) and the construction of a new two-storey retail-led development (c. 8,698 sqm gross floor area) incorporating an anchor retail unit (c. 3,970 sqm net sales area) with an ancillary alcohol sales area, bulk store and customer facilities at first floor level; (ii) a café (c. 170 sqm gross floor area) and 2 no. retail service units (c. 232 sqm total gross floor area) at first floor level; (iii) at ground floor level lobby entrances, 1 no. retail unit (c. 156 sqm gross floor area) and 1 no. hot food takeaway premises (c. 95 sqm gross floor area) to replace the existing use on site; (iv) circulation space to include an atrium at ground and first floor levels; (v) provision of a service yard at first floor level with marshalling area, bin storage and a grocery home shopping delivery vehicle docking area; (vi) the relocation of an existing pedestrian crossing on Vevay Road and the provision of a signalised junction at the car park entrance (Vevay Road) and alterations to the existing road layout to improve vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian safety; (vii) 281 no. car parking spaces providing a combination of surface-level and undercroft car parking under the first floor level (including parent and child, accessible and electric vehicle parking spaces), provision of 3 no. dedicated “Click and Collect” spaces and associated storage unit, 50 no. cycle parking spaces and set down/loading bay areas; (viii) 2 no. elevational signs and 2 no. fascia signs on the Vevay Road elevation, 1 no. signage zone at first floor level on the Charnwood elevation, 1 no. freestanding sign (7m x 2.3m) adjacent to the vehicular access on Vevay Road and 1 no. freestanding sign (7m x 2.3m) adjacent the Charnwood/Vevay Road junction; (ix) ESB substation (c. 66 sqm), pump house, sprinkler tank, attenuation tank, feature and street lighting, plant deck at roof level, roof-mounted Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels, store canopy, trolley bays and all associated ancillary infrastructure; and (x) all ancillary site development works including tree and vegetation removal, landscaping, boundary treatments, enabling works and site services. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) is submitted with the application.