Why Drawing Quality Matters
Poorly prepared planning drawings are the single most common cause of Further Information requests in Irish solar planning applications. When a planning authority issues a Further Information request, your determination timeline extends — typically by 4–8 weeks per request. Submitting a complete, accurate drawing set from the outset eliminates this risk.
This guide covers the drawings typically required for a ground-mounted solar farm planning application in Ireland.
Site Location Map
**Scale:** 1:10,500 (OS Discovery Series) or site-specific mapping at a scale showing the development in context.
The site location map identifies the application site within its broader landscape and planning context. It must show the red line boundary of the application site and the surrounding area. Most planning authorities require the OS Discovery Series sheet at 1:10,500.
Site Layout Plan
**Scale:** 1:500 to 1:2,500 depending on site size.
This is the primary planning drawing and the one most scrutinised by planners. It must show:
The site layout plan must be consistent with all other technical reports — particularly the glint and glare assessment and Landscape Plan. Inconsistencies between documents are a common cause of FI requests.
Panel Elevation Drawings
**Scale:** 1:20 to 1:100 depending on panel type.
Elevation drawings show the physical appearance of the proposed solar panels and mounting structures from the front, side, and rear. They must show:
Cross-Sections
**Scale:** 1:200 to 1:500.
Cross-sections through the site show topography, panel heights, and the relationship of the development to surrounding land. They are particularly important where:
Fence and Security Details
**Scale:** 1:20 to 1:50.
Drawings showing the proposed perimeter fence design, height, and material. Most Irish county councils require deer/badger underpasses in perimeter fences — this should be shown in the fence detail.
Photomontages
Photomontages (visualisations) are not always mandatory, but are increasingly requested by Irish planning authorities — particularly in visually sensitive landscapes. They show the proposed development superimposed on photographs taken from agreed viewpoints.
Photomontages are typically requested from:
Electrical Single-Line Diagrams
Required for larger projects. The single-line diagram shows the electrical connection from panels to the grid connection point. Some local authorities require this; for SID applications to An Bord Pleanála it is standard.
Construction Layout Plan
Shows the construction compound, haul routes, construction traffic management, and temporary works. Required for the Environmental Impact Assessment chapter on construction phase impacts, and increasingly requested in planning applications for larger sites.
Keeping Documents Consistent
One of the most important things about your drawing set is internal consistency. The layout shown on the site plan must exactly match the layout used in the glint and glare assessment model. The planting shown on the site plan must match the Landscape Plan. The panel height shown in elevations must match the modelling parameters.
We produce complete drawing packages that are cross-checked for consistency before delivery — significantly reducing the risk of FI requests on technical grounds.
Get a Quote
[Contact us](/contact) with your site details for a fixed-fee proposal for your planning drawing package. See also: [PV Planning Drawings service](/services/pv-planning-drawings) | [Ground-Mounted Solar Design](/services/ground-mounted-solar-design)