2460205: A 10 Year planning permission for a solar farm with a total area of circa 73 hectares in the townlands of Ballybar Lower, Ballybar Upper, Ballycarney, Ballyloo, Linkardstown, Park and Tinryland in County Carlow. The solar farm will consist of solar panels on ground mounted frames, 11 no. single storey electrical inverter/transformer stations, 3 no. single storey spare parts containers, 2 no. Ring Main Units, 3 no. weather stations, underground electrical ducting and cabling within the development site, private lands and within the L1010, L3051, L3052 and L3050 public roads to connect solar farm field parcels, security fencing, CCTV, access tracks, 3 no. watercourse/drain deck crossings and 2 no. horizontal directional drill crossings (under M9 motorway and L3050), temporary construction compounds, landscaping and all associated ancillary development and drainage works. Construction and operational access will be via 2 no. entrances from the L1022 and L1010. Sections of the proposed underground electrical cabling will traverse the solar farm proposed under Carlow County Council Reference 24/60043, but will not alter infrastructure proposed under that application. 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

Refusal reasons

Conditions

• 1Development per plans received 19/07/2024, amended by FI 28/02/2025.Compliance
• 2Parcel 1 omitted to safeguard Tinryland village expansion.Other
• 3Development to be carried out within 10 years of final grant.Compliance
• 440-year permission. Decommissioning and Restoration Plan required prior to commencement, including archaeological constraints. Removal within 3 months of decommissioning.Compliance
• 5NIS mitigation measures strictly adhered to.Environment Ecology
• 6No grid connection consent. Separate Roads Opening Licence required for public road cabling. Compliance with Purple Book and TII 2019.Traffic Access
• 7Permission limited to approved plans only.Compliance
• 8No artificial lighting. CCTV angled into site. Underground cables. Matt dark green inverter stations. No advertisement signs.Design Materials
• 9Materials, colours, textures, finishes of ancillary structures agreed in writing prior to commencement.Design Materials
• 10Final CEMP submitted for agreement, covering construction programme, monitoring, emergency response, weekly meetings, public liaison, archaeological constraints, and Waste Management Plan.Construction Management
• 11Prevent invasive species spread. Construction hours restricted (Mon-Fri 08:00-19:00, Sat 08:00-16:00). Vegetation clearance Sept-Feb. NPWS licence for nesting birds.Environment Ecology
• 12Revised Biodiversity Action/Management Plan agreed, including habitat restoration at adjoining waters and IFI engagement. Avoid wildflower seed mixes.Environment Ecology