Planning permission has been granted for a major new solar farm development in Laois, paving the way for one of the largest renewable energy projects in the region.
Last September, Laois County Council approved plans for a 615ac solar farm to be developed by Ørsted Onshore Ireland Midco Limited, but the decision was appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The site is located across the townlands of Morett, Killone, Cappakeel, Rossmore and Raheennahown North, close to Ballybrittas, Emo and Vicarstown.
Construction of the solar farm, spread across five parcels of land will consist of approximately 1,796,838 square metres of solar photovoltaic panels mounted on ground-mounted steel frames.
The council granted permission for a 40-year operational period, subject to 18 conditions.
Appeal
The proposal attracted significant public interest, with 82 submissions lodged during the planning process. Among those who made submissions were Independent Laois TD Brian Stanley and councillors Aisling Moran and Aidan Mullins.
Following the council’s decision, the development was appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála by multiple parties after attracting a number of objections.
In its ruling, An Coimisiún Pleanála granted permission subject to 14 conditions. In reaching its decision, the board cited its statutory obligation to make determinations consistent with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, as well as relevant European policy on renewable energy and climate action.
SHARING OPTIONS