51-hectare solar farm proposed at Ballinure, Ballyoneen, Co. Cork

In context

It is one of 52 solar farm applications Cork County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 335 nationally. Of the 573 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 is due to decide by 28 January 2026, 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.

A 10 year planning permission for a solar farm with a total area of circa 51 hectares. The solar farm will consist of solar panels on ground mounted frames, 7 no. single storey electrical inverter/transformer stations, 3 no. single storey spare parts containers, 3 no. Ring Main Units, 2 no. weather stations, underground electrical ducting and cabling within the development site, private lands and within the L5816, L5813, R626, L7692 and L7691 public roads (including 2 no. Horizontal Directional Drill under the Owenageeragh River and the Ballyerra Stream) to connect solar farm field parcels, security fencing, CCTV, access tracks, 6 no. stream/drain deck crossings, temporary construction compounds, landscaping and all associated ancillary development and drainage works. Construction and operational vehicle access will be via 4 no. entrances from the L5816. Sections of the proposed underground electrical cabling will traverse the solar farm proposed under Cork County Council Reference 24/5630, but will not alter infrastructure proposed under that application. The operational lifespan of the solar farm will be 40 years and planning permission is requested for this duration. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application. The NIS includes an assessment of the grid connection for the solar farm project comprising a 220kV electricity substation and underground electricity cabling to the existing Knockraha 220kV substation which has been consented by An Coimisiún Pleanála (ABP-321518-24) and is situated in the townlands of Aghaduff, Ballinbrittig, Ballynabrannagh West, Ballynagaul, Ballynaglogh, Ballynanelagh, Ballynaskeha, Ballysallagh, Ballyvatta, Glengarriff More, Killeena and Pigeonhill (Townlands), Co. Cork. 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 2000, 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.