Cork County Council grants permission for 10.5-hectare solar farm at Cloonbannin West Mallow Co.Cork, Co. Cork

In context

It is one of 52 solar farm applications Cork County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 333 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 20 August 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues. The applicant sought a 10-year permission, which sets how long they have to start the development.

The development description, as lodged

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

A 10-year permission for a PV farm consisting of approximately 9,464 photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames with 16 no. string inverters within a site area of 10.4764ha, 1 no. single storey transformer station, 1 no. single storey spare parts storage container, 1 no. delivery station, upgrading of existing agricultural entrance onto L1101, internal access tracks, security fencing, CCTV landscaping and all associated development site works