Solar farm proposed at Castleharrison, Ardnageehy, 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 five-week window for public submissions has closed. The council is due to decide by 7 October 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.

The proposed development (to be known as Madigan's Solar Farm) within the red line boundary for which permission is sought consists of: •the construction of, 40-year operation of, and subsequent decommissioning of a 55.55-hectare (137.26 acres) solar farm centred at approximately E:553,500 and N:618,400, and comprised of two parcels of land located to the west and east of the proposed M20 Motorway respectively; •the connection of the two parcels of land by means of an underground grid connection (UGC) to be constructed underneath the proposed M20 Motorway and the existing L5529 public road; •a further UGC from the proposed western parcel of the solar farm to the previously consented Ardnageehy Solar Farm (Cork Co. Co. Pl. Ref: 236099 / ABP-320298-24); and •10m-wide tree belts along both sides of the proposed M20 Motorway. The development will then be connected to the national grid at the consented Ballyroe 110kV Substation (permitted by An Coimisuin Pleanala ref. 314431-22) by way of an underground grid connection, previously determined by An Coimisiún Pleanála to be exempted development (Cork Co. Co. Pl. Ref. D/201/25 /; ACP ref. 322653-25). The proposed development is to be built in two separate phases within the 10-year planning permission period. Phase 1 will comprise of the western land parcel and all that is proposed within it, together with the underground grid connection from it to the consented Ardnageehy Solar Farm, as well as the proposed underground grid connection, linking the eastern and western land parcels underneath the proposed M20 Motorway, and the 10m wide tree belt proposed along both sides of the proposed motorway. Phase 2 will comprise of the eastern land parcel and all that is proposed within it, apart from the tree belt within it and underground grid connection linking it to the western land parcel. The proposed development will comprise of a series of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on pile driven ground support pole structures. The proposed development also includes electrical inverters/transformers, underground cabling and temporary construction compounds. Access to the western and eastern land parcels will utilise existing entrances onto the public roads. The proposed solar farm includes the use of approximately 2,250m existing internal farm access tracks that are not proposed to be upgraded as well as 1,470m proposed new internal access tracks. The proposed development also includes new internal gates, CCTV poles and cameras, deer-type security/boundary fencing, landscaping and biodiversity measures which includes the removal of approximately 45m of existing hedgerow and the planting of approximately 1,536m of new hedgerow, and all ancillary development works required to generate renewable energy electricity and transmit it in the townlands of Ballynadrideen, Ardnageehy and Castleharrison, Charleville, Co. Cork. In accordance with Article 239 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), notice is hereby given: a) that a Natura Impact Statement will be submitted to the planning authority with the application, and b) that the Natura Impact Statement will be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy during office hours at the office of the planning authority. 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. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, County Hall, Carrigrohane Road, Co. Cork, during its public