268 acre solar farm in mid-Louth gets go ahead in spite of objections

Louth County Council has given the go ahead for a solar farm on a site of c.108.6 ha (268.4 acres), just under five kilometres from Ardee, in spite of a huge number of submissions lodged voicing concerns, and objecting to the development, from local residents and Louth County Councillors.

Lightsource Renewable Energy Ireland Ltd, which is owned by British multinational oil and gas company, BP, applied to Louth County Council in December 2024 for planning permission for the development, on lands c.4.87km northeast of Ardee, Derrycammagh and Bawn, Co Louth.

The applicant sought permission for a development consisting of a 10 year permission for a solar PV energy development with associated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) compound with a total site area of c. 108.6 ha (268.4 acres).

The proposed development included solar panels mounted on steel support structures, associated cabling and ducting, inverters, transformers, switchgear substations, auxiliary transformer, permanent storage containers, monitoring houses, composting toilet, BESS customer substation, battery blocks, BESS inverters and Power Conversion System (PCS) twin skid, BESS interface cabinets (BIC), and backup generator.

The planning application also provided for temporary construction compounds, tracks, boundary security fencing and security gates, CCTV, landscaping and ancillary works including a sheep pen, with a 40 year operational period.

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Construction access to the development was proposed via an upgraded and widened access point off the R166, together with a newly created access and a widened existing access off Derrycammagh Lane (south off L51774).

Operation and maintenance of the development was proposed from an existing access point off Derrycammagh Lane, south of the L51774 local road.

A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) had been submitted by Lightsource Renewable Energy Ireland Ltd to the Planning Authority with the application.

A decision had initially been due in the first quarter of last year on the application, but Louth County Council sought firther information on the proposed development in February 2025, which was subsequently received on 19 November.

Submissions were made by many in relation to the development, on both the application and in relation to the further information submitted by Lightsource Renewable Energy Ireland Ltd. Loss of agricultural land, visual impact, additional traffic during construction were among the issues highlighted.

Mid-Louth councillors, Cllr Pearse McGeough, Cllr John Sheridan, Cllr Jim Tenanty, and Drogheda councillor, Cllr Kevin Callan were among those who made submissions.

Cllr Tenanty said in his submission that the site is too close to homes in the area and it would impact on family and community life.

In his submission, Cllr McGeough said that the land on which the development would be taking place is fertile agricultural land and that it would not make economic sense to use it for a solar farm.

Among the concerns highlighted by Cllr Sheridan in his submission, he asked that concerns of neighbouring houses be taken into account in relation to the proximity of solar panels and transformers to their homes; specific flood reports be carried out; and an audit/climate impact report to demonstrate the climate contribution to the solar panels versus the non-use of the land for food production.

Cllr Callan raised concerns and objections in his submission in relation to the construction phase, including the length of time it would take and its impact; the use of good agricultural land for a solar farm, including the impact the installation of panel units would have on local terrestrial eco systems; the impact on the local water supply; and drainage and the local water network.

Louth County Council granted planning permission for the development on 16 January, subject to 22 planning conditions, saying that “the development shall be carried out in strict accordance with the plans and specifications submitted to the Planning Authority on 19th December 2024 and as amended by plans, details and specifications received as further information on 19th November 2025”, save for the 22 conditions it laid out in its decision.

While Louth County Council granted planning permission for the development, the decision may still be appealed to An Bord Comisiún (formerly An Bord Pleanála).