Cork County Council grants permission for solar farm at Ballinrea Ballinreeshig Kilnahone near, Co. Cork

In context

It is one of 52 solar farm applications Cork County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 349 nationally. Of the 572 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 18 December 2023. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Cork County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

Modifications to the permitted solar farm (Pl. Ref. No.: 17/6784, ABP Ref. PL04.303013). The modifications are within the boundary of the permitted development and will consist of: i) Changes to the layout and dimensions of the permitted solar photovoltaic layout which will decrease the solar photovoltaic footprint from c. 159,100 sq.m of solar panels, to c. 145,000 sq.m of solar panels on ground mounted frames (this modification is to allow for the inclusion of a proposed 110kV substation and grid connection which will be subject to a separate application); ii) Amendments to the internal track layout and the removal of the permitted battery storage unit; iii) 6 no. single storey inverter/transformer stations (reduced from 10 no. permitted inverter/transformer stations). Permission is also sought for the provision of a 33kV internal network cable (c. 3,760m underground with c. 114m of overhead line) linking the Ballinrea solar farm with the Ballinvuskig solar farm (c. 1.74 km to the northwest). The proposed development includes all associated site works and ancillary infrastructure. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of the proposed development and the NIS will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application.