Cork County Council grants permission for 5 MW solar farm at Kilshinahan, Timoleague, Co. Cork

In context

It is one of 52 solar farm applications Cork County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 337 nationally. Of the 573 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 19 February 2026. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues. The applicant sought a 2-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 c.5MW solar farm comprising approximately 14,000 photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames, 1 no. single storey transformer station (15sqm), 1 no. single storey delivery station (53sqm), 2 no. single storey spare parts storage containers (15sqm each), security fencing, CCTV, landscaping and all other ancillary development works. The solar panels will be arranged within a developable area of approximately 8.6 ha at Kilshinahan, Timoleague, Co. Cork. The proposed development will consist of the construction and completion of the solar farm as permitted by and commenced under Planning Permission Ref. 15/6968, extended by Ref. 21/4496 and modified by Ref. 22/6452, with proposed minor changes to that which was permitted to the site layout, as shown in the permitted site layout drawings (Drawing Ref. No.s 4332_2005_A, 4332_2006_A and 4332_2007_A), including array arrangement and internal track route, and minor changes to the fence alignment along the north west boundary; and the addition of a second single storey spare parts storage container (15sqm) (2 no. single storey spare parts storage containers in total). It is anticipated that works under the extant planning permissions will commence with the approved site clearance works, access roads and temporary internal tracks/roads, fencing and gates, and the proposed development will incorporate those works and such further construction and completion of the solar farm as modified by the proposed grant of planning permission the subject of this application. A 2-year permission is sought, with works expected to commence in Q1 2026 under the extant permissions and this permission is sought to secure the completion of the solar farm development. This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413) and it is important to note that the planning application may be subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply.