Solar farm proposed at Ballynaclashy, Ballyrichard Beg, 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 five-week window for public submissions has closed. The council normally decides within eight weeks of the application being lodged, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

The development description, as lodged

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

The proposed development of an underground electricity interconnector cable. The proposed development of the underground electricity interconnector cable will comprise 1 no. 33kV double circuit cable of c.4.3km in length which is to be installed in an excavated trench including underground ducting, joint bays, communication chambers and all associated site development and reinstatement works. The interconnector cable will extend from two newly proposed Ring Main Units at the permitted Ballynaclashy Solar Farm to a substation at the permitted Lysaghtstown Solar Farm. The proposed development provides for a revision to part of the approved layout of the Ballynaclashy Solar Farm previously permitted under Cork County planning reference 21/4050 / An Bord Pleanála reference ABP 311238-21. The revision to the layout comprises the installation of 2 no. Ring Main Units and the laying of the underground electricity interconnector cable. The proposed development also provides for a revision to part of the approved layout of Lysaghtstown solar farm as previously permitted under cork county council planning reference 18/6769 (as amended by references 20/6891 and 21/5089). The revision to this layout comprises the laying of the underground electricity interconnector cable to a substation permitted under an Board Pleanála reference ABP 308979-20. The development will be carried out within a combination of the above referenced permitted solar farm boundaries, on private lands and within the L-7634, L-36172, L-7694 and R626 public roads. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and will be submitted to the planning Authority with the application.