Bats cited among reasons 56 acre Laois Solar Farm rejected

Bats were among the reasons why plans for the Laois element of a 149 acre solar farm was rejected by Laois County Council. 

BNRG Bracklone Ltd had applied for permission from Laois County Council for a large section of the proposed 60 hectare(149acre) solar farm located in Kilmullen, Ullard or Controversyland, Clonanny, Lea and Loughmansland Glebe, Portarlington and on land in Coolnafearagh in neighbouring Co Kildare last September.

In total 22.7 hectares(56 acres) of the 32MW solar farm would be located near Portarlington in Laois with the remainder in Co Kildare.  In Laois, part of the proposed site surrounds the historic Kilmullen House.

The solar farm application attracted 23 submissions which included comments from residents in the area and local Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins. 

BNRG had said the planned solar farm would produce enough electricity to power 6,000 homes. They also proposed a Community Benefit Fund, which is expected to contribute €800,000 to the community over 15 years.

However, a planner with Laois County Council recommended that permission be denied on three grounds. 

They said the Natura Impact Statement accompanying the application didn’t quantify the extent of habitat loss and there was “no analysis of cumulative impacts on features relevant to bat species or on habitats associated with Natura 2000 sites”. The planner noted the statement also hadn’t shown the project “will not adversely affect the integrity of the River Barrow and River Nore SAC(Special Area of Conservation)”. 

Secondly, the planner stated that the Council felt the Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment Report wasn’t comprehensive enough to conclude the development would not have a significant impact on Kilmullen House which is a protected structure.  

Lastly, the planner stated that the Council wasn’t satisfied that entrance onto the R420 road would not present a traffic hazard.  

“In addition, it is considered that the proposed development, by itself or by the precedent which the grant of permission for it would set for other relevant development, would adversely affect the use of a major road by traffic”, the planner stated. 

Citing the planner’s concerns, Laois County Council refused planning permission on December 30, 2025.