RED III application for a 10 Year Planning Permission for a solar farm with a total area

Shanmullagh Family Farm Ltd has submitted a RED III application to Longford County Council for a 10‑year planning permission for a solar farm covering roughly 11 hectares on its farm land in County Longford. The proposal includes ground‑mounted solar panels, 14 electrical inverter stations, a single‑storey LV/MV transformer station, two spare‑parts containers, a ring‑main unit, an MV sub‑station and underground electrical ducting and cabling within the site. The developers also plan security fencing, CCTV, access tracks, temporary construction compounds, landscaping and associated drainage works. The farm will connect to the existing 20 kV overhead line that crosses the site, and a new entrance will be created on the L‑10193 public road to allow construction and operational vehicle access.

The application, which is subject to the Renewable Energy Directive III (EU 2023/2413) and may be affected by section 34D of the Planning and Development Act 2000, seeks permission for a 40‑year operational lifespan but is currently requesting a 10‑year planning period. A conditional decision on the application is scheduled for 15 May 2026.

Local media coverage has highlighted the scale of the proposal. An Irish Independent article notes that the developer claims the solar farm will have the capacity to power 3,000 homes a year. The Longford Leader has reported a decision on a sprawling 275‑acre solar development in the county, though it is not confirmed that this refers to the same site.

The council’s planning committee will consider the application in light of the county’s renewable energy strategy and the need to balance development with environmental and community interests. The outcome will determine whether the farm can proceed and contribute to Longford’s renewable energy supply.

For further details, see the Longford County Council planning portal and the coverage signals from the Irish Independent and Longford Leader.

Summary written by localnews.ie from the original source coverage. Click through for the full report.