Permitted 228 acre solar farm in Louth appealed to An Bord Pleanála

The decision by Louth County Council to grant planning permission to an international solar company to construct a 92.3 hectare (228.08 acre) solar farm and battery energy storage system in the county has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Elgin Energy ESI Ltd was granted planning permission last month for the development at Kilineer, Newtown Monasterboice, Silloge, Balgatheran and Coolfore, Co Louth.

The company was given the go ahead to construct and complete a Solar PV Energy and BESS Development (battery energy storage system) with a total site area of 92.3 hectares, to include solar PV panels ground mounted on support structures, inverters, and battery storage infrastructure (BESS units, PCS units, storage and maintenance units).

The planning application also provides for internal access tracks, underground cabling, perimeter fencing with CCTV camera and access gates, temporary construction compounds and all ancillary infrastructure, drainage, additional landscaping and habitat enhancement as required and associated site development works.

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Louth County Council granted planning permission for the development on 12 March, subject to 20 planning conditions. A third party appeal against the decision was lodged by Fergus Neilon, chairperson of a concerned residents group, on 28 March. An Bord Pleanála has not yet indicated when the case will be heard.