A 10 Year Planning Permission for a solar farm with a total area of circa 57 hectares.

Application details

Planning reference

2560137

Council

Carlow County Council

Proposal description

A 10 Year Planning Permission for a solar farm with a total area of circa 57 hectares. The solar farm will consist of solar panels on ground mounted frames, 8 no. single storey electrical inverter/transformer stations, 2 no. single storey spare parts containers, 1 no. Ring Main Unit, 3 no. weather stations, underground electrical ducting and cabling within the development site, private lands and within the L4038, L8185, R448, L3051, L3052 and L3050 public roads to connect solar farm field parcels, security fencing, CCTV, access tracks, 5 no. watercourse/drain deck crossings and 2 no. horizontal directional drill crossings (under M9 motorway and the Dublin - Waterford railway), temporary construction compounds, landscaping and all associated ancillary development and drainage works. Construction and operational access will be via 2 no. existing entrances from the R448 and L1010. Sections of the proposed underground electrical cabling will traverse the solar farms proposed under Carlow County Council References 24/60043 and 24/60205, but will not alter infrastructure proposed under these applications. The operational lifespan of the solar farm will be 40 years and planning permission is requested for this duration. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application.

Location / address

In the townlands of Ballybannon Ballybar Lower Ballybar Upper Ballycarney , Ballyloo Cloghna Linkardstown and Park , in County Carlow.

Application type

PERMISSION

Received / registered

22 May 2025

Council decision

CONDITIONAL

Council decision date

31 Oct 2025

Final grant date

3 Dec 2025

Planning timeline

Key dated milestones from the planning record.

1. Application received

   22 May 2025

2. Decision: CONDITIONAL

   31 Oct 2025

3. Final grant

   3 Dec 2025