Planning sought for 151 hectare solar farm in south Tipperary
The development is for three separate parcels of land, to a combined 151 hectare solar farm
Planning permission has been lodged for a 151-hectare PV Solar Farm outside of Cashel, on lands near Boscabell, Rathordan, and Mocklershill, east of the town.
The developer, Statkraft Ireland Ltd., is applying for a 10-year planning permission for the development, which includes 17 transformers, over three sites.
A previous planning application was made in October 2025, and a large number of submissions against the plans were made at the time including from Dualla Together CLG.
While that application ultimately did not go forward (it was deemed incomplete), the applicant has reviewed those submissions in making the current application and say that they’ve undertaken community engagement, directly liaising with local residents and landowners, and “has carefully considered all feedback received during engagement”.
“Statkraft has also committed to continuing engagement during the planning stage and, if permission is granted, during construction and operation. This will include maintaining open lines of communication with the local community and continuing dialogue to address any concerns that may arise. Overall, Statkraft considers that the community engagement process was meaningful, transparent, and appropriate to the size and nature of the Proposed Development”.
All the landowners involved in the potential development have consented to the solar farm.
Reports within the planning say that studies have shown that it is “possible” that property value would decline from being in close proximity to solar farms, “but the losses are modest and less than from nearby fossil fuel plants”.
“One 2023 study of 1.8 million homes found minor impacts on property values. Homes within 0.5 miles of solar farms experienced around 1.5% price reductions; homes more than one mile away received no significant effects”.
No "significant long-term effects” on tourism, particularly with regards to the development’s proximity to the Rock of Cashel, are predicted.
In terms of the alleged health effects of electromagnetic fields, solar farms “can emit low levels of EMF, originating from inverter/transformer stations and electrical cabling. However, the levels of EMF emitted are substantially lower than the basic restriction level which is the level at which radiation is potentially harmful to humans”.
If planning is granted, construction is expected to begin in 2028 and take up to two years once begun. Cable works will take place under the roads around the area, to connect the three separate land parcels.
There are several national monuments within five kilometres of the proposed solar farm, including the Rock of Cashel, Hore Abbey, and three ringforts at Ballycomisk.
The felling of over half a kilometre of hedgerow will be involved, as is the removal of a 15 hectare Ash plantation but the applicant says that this forestry will have been felled under a separate licence by then, and replacement planting dealt with there.
There will also be a kilometre of hedgerow planted, and some woodland planted.
Another development in the area, by a different company, was appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála by a local group but ultimately granted permission in September last year.
A decision is due by October.