Cork County Council grants permission for 7.8-hectare solar farm at Ballyvatta, Clash, Co. Cork

In context

It is one of 52 solar farm applications Cork County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 351 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 6 March 2024. 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.

Amendment of previous permission Reg. Ref: 17/5370 and ABP- 300434-17, which includes a enlarged site boundary, for alterations to an permitted solar farm to provide an additional area of 7.8ha to the south comprising photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames, MV/inverter stations, fencing, access tracks, CCTV cameras, a weather station, landscaping and all associated ancillary development works. The development also includes a 2.25km cable route to the south to provide a link to a future substation and all associated ancillary development works. The application also seeks to amend Condition 3 of permission granted under Reg. Ref:17/5370 and ABP Ref: ABP-300434-17 to increase the lifespan of the permitted solar farm from 25 to 35 years.