Cork County Council grants permission for 52-turbine wind farm with 91m turbines at Gneeves Wind Farm Gneeves, Co. Cork

In context

It is one of 8 wind energy applications Cork County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 61 nationally. Of the 85 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 74% 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 21 January 2026. 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.

A fifteen (15) year planning permission for continuation of the operational life of the existing Gneeves wind farm from the date of expiration (November 2025) of the current planning permission (N/99/616, 03/6585, 04/188). The site measures 10.101 hectares. The existing wind farm consists of the following; 11 no. existing, operational Vestas V52 wind turbines, 8 no. turbines have a tip height of 91 m and a hub height of 65m, the remaining 3 no. turbines have a tip height of 76.1m and a hub height of 49m. All 11turbines have a rotor diameter of 52m. 1 no. existing operational onsite substation compound, the compound comprises: 38kV electrical substation, a control building, associated electrical plant and equipment, security fencing, associated underground cabling, existing site access tracks and 11 no. turbine hardstandings, existing operational site drainage infrastructure and associated works, including maintenance and improvement works. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) and Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) have been prepared in relation to the project and accompany this planning application.