New plan for 338 acre solar farm outside Kells

More than 100 submissions have been received by Meath County Council on plans for a large solar farm development on lands outside Kells, which if approved would see underground cables laid under the River Blackwater.

Fyanstown Solar Farm Limited is seeking permission for a solar farm and energy storage compound with a total area of 338 acres on lands at Fyanstown, Kilmainmam, Rosmeen and Sedenrath, Kells. It follows a previous planning application by the developer in late 2024 which was deemed withdrawn before Christmas.

The new proposal includes 462,000 sqm of solar photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames, associated string inverters, 41 electrical transformer stations and one medium voltage control/switching substation.

The energy storage compound consists of 70 containerised energy storage modules and associated plant and equipment, 35 transformers and five auxiliary transformers, two spare parts containers and one medium voltage control/switching substation.

The overall project includes underground electrical ducting and cabling within the development site and the R163 and R147 public roads, and Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) crossing of the Blackwater River. Construction and operational access would be via two existing entrances from the R147 and R163, which would be upgraded. The application is a RED III application which is for renewable energy projects that falls under the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive III.

If approved the solar farm would be operational for 40 years. The plans have drawn strong opposition in the locality and total of 103 objections were lodged including one from a landowner indicating that he has withdrawn consent for his lands to be included. Apart from archaeological concerns, residents have highlighted the potentially very significant negative visual impact on the sensitive and high value landscape of the Blackwater Valley.

Two submissions were also made by state bodies. Uisce Eireann requested further information on the potential risks to downstream drinking water abstraction points as well as in relation to firewater containment in the event of a fire and for further information regarding the Emergency Response Plan, while the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has recommended an archaeological impact assessment. A decision is due on 26th May.

A previous planning application for the same lands was deemed withdrawn before Christmas after the applicant, Fyanstown Solar Farm Limited, did not submit further information within the required time frame. The initial application was for a site of 405 acres but a parcel of land at Hurdlestown was later omitted due to archaeological findings.

That proposal was met by strong local objections and 135 submissions were made against the plans.