2460295: For a ten-year planning permission for a renewable energy development comprising the construction of a c. 63MW solar farm of 118.9ha and associated works in the Townlands of Rathrush, Emlicon and Bendinstown, Co Carlow. The proposed development will consist of: • A c. 63MW solar farm comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels. • 15 No. Invertor Combiner Kiosk /Transformers and hardstands. • 1 No. Ring Main Unit. • 2 No. spare parts storage containers. • Provision of site access tracks and upgrading of existing tracks. • Underground cabling within the solar farm site, in private lands and under the L7111, L7114, L7115 local roads to connect the solar farm field parcels, and to connect the solar farm to the permitted Garreenleen Substation. • 3 No. temporary construction compounds. • Demolition of derelict agricultural building and disused silage storage structure. • Upgrading and widening works at Site entrances. • All ancillary development including such as an up to 2.4m high stock proof fence, CCTV and drainage infrastructure. This application is seeking a ten-year permission and a 35-year operational period from the date of overall commissioning of the solar farm. This application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS)
Rathrush Emlicon and Bendinstown, Ballon, Co. Carlow
DecisionRefused
Decided31 July 2025
Application typePERMISSION
Source documents7
Site
What is on file
1refusal reasons0conditions8nearby records
Decision details
Core application dates and identifiers from the public planning record.Planning analysis
Refusal reasons and planning conditions extracted from the public decision file.Refusal reasons
Traffic Sightlines
The existing minor road network cannot safely accommodate the volume of heavy goods vehicle traffic required for construction, raising concerns over sightlines, road damage, and local resident disruption.
County Development Plan Figure 16.1 and Table 16.5 (sightlines at site entrances)main issue is the existing minor road network and how can we get them to accommodate local traffic and maintain road until works are completed.
Conditions
No conditions
No conditions are on record for this application yet.
Source documents
Original council portal records and source PDFs where available.- Application fileApplication file on www.eplanning.ieSource portal
- Notification Of DecisionSource: carlowcoco.eplanning.ie / 9fa1c5cb-2242-4f2b-b1a9-1211d79d724d.pdf / Document 137175Source PDF
- Chief Executives OrderSource: carlowcoco.eplanning.ie / 9a923f7e-ee00-4015-9b64-975c77a540f0.pdf / Document 137174Source PDF
- Final GrantSource: carlowcoco.eplanning.ie / 7af6ab4e-12e5-410c-8964-41b1d8d5bbc5.pdf / Document 144989Source PDF
- Planners ReportSource: carlowcoco.eplanning.ie / 156dd0b0-1866-4986-a846-a03ee74c9c01.pdf / Document 124249Source PDF
- Planners ReportSource: carlowcoco.eplanning.ie / 3aafbec3-955b-4091-9275-a80cf6432fef.pdf / Document 137339Source PDF
- F I Request LetterSource: carlowcoco.eplanning.ie / Db69180e-75b5-411a-bf99-01c3d02ab44b.pdf / Document 124128Source PDF
Nearby precedent
Similar nearby applications linked to this planning decision.- 2510Extension of duration for PL20/161 Construction of a two-storey dwelling, appropriate wastewater treatment system and percolation area, bored well, new entrance with splayed wing walls, single storey domestic garage and all ancillary site works and landscaping / 0.8 km away / 28 April 2025Refused
- 17350Planning permission is sought for part demolition of existing storage shed and construction of a proposed enlarged shed in its place to be used for the following: dog kennels, storage and agricultural purposes and associated works. / 0.9 km away / 04 September 2018Refused
- 2034For a single storey / part storey & half dwelling, septic tank and percolation area, new vehicular entrance, bored well and all associated site works / 1.6 km away / 23 March 2020Refused
- 2560155A 10 year permission for a Battery Energy Storage system. The proposed development will comprise of the following; A Battery Energy Storage System with associated infrastructure including a new internal access road, approximately 50 metres in length to the permitted Garreenleen Solar Farm (Planning Ref. 22163); An approximately 90 metre 33kV double circuit underground cable grid connection to the permitted Bendinstown 110kV Substation (Planning Ref. ABP–313139), to be installed in an excavated trench including underground ducting; Modular office and welfare buildings; Six steel storage containers and all associated site development and reinstatement works. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and is included with this planning application. / 2.3 km away / 25 February 2026Refused
- 20143A 10 year Planning Permission for a solar farm which will connect to the national grid on lands with a total area of circa 127 hectares, consisting of solar panels on ground mounted frames, 28 No. single storey electrical inverter/transformer stations and associated equipment container, security fencing, satellite communications pole, CCTV, upgrading to existing access tracks and new access tracks, temporary construction compounds, landscaping and all associated ancillary development works. Construction and operational access will be via entrances from the L-7111 and L-7112. The operational lifespan of the solar farm will be 35 years. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application. / 2.3 km away / 16 July 2020Refused
- 2360319The construction of a single storey extension to the North elevation of my existing dwelling connecting to my domestic garage, the Change of use of the afore mentioned domestic garage to use as a habitable part of my dwelling, Alterations to elevations, the construction of a roofed decking area to the rear elevation, the construction a domestic shed and all associated site works / 2.5 km away / 30 May 2024Refused
- 18350The construction of a new fully serviced single storey dwelling house, detached garage to side of dwelling, installation of a proprietary sewage treatment system and percolation area, new vehicular entrance from public road and all associated site works / 2.7 km away / 25 October 2018Refused
- 17362Retention at this address of existing one and half storey domestic garage/storage building which has been converted to study/recreation room (46.45m2), and retain new build single storey extension and lobby comprising dining/living area (39.72m2). / 2.7 km away / 05 September 2018Refused