Solar farm proposed at Fota House, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork

In context

It is one of 52 solar farm applications Cork County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 339 nationally. Of the 573 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

Anyone can make a submission or observation to Cork County Council until 13 September 2026, for a fee of €20. Only those who make a submission can later appeal the decision. The council is due to decide by 5 October 2026, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

How to make a submission

The development description, as lodged

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

We, The Irish Heritage Trust, intend to apply for Permission for development of this site at Fota House, Foaty, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork _____________________________________________________________ The development will consist of: Installation of a ground mounted Photovoltaic (PV) array of approximately 82m2 and associated below ground cabling into Fota House, and installation of air-to-water mono-bloc heat pumps, on a concrete pad in rear yard connected to the existing boiler room and all associated ground works, at Fota House, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork by the Irish Heritage Trust. Fota house is a Protected Structure: PS 504. 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. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of – (a) 5 weeks, or (b) 2 weeks, in the case of a planning application for small-scale solar energy equipment development or development that is the installation of a small-scale non-ground source heat pump, (c) beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: ___________________________________________________ AGENT: Oisin Creagh Dip Arch BArch Sc FRIAI G1 - DESIGN FORUM ARCHITECTS Date of erection of site notice: 11th June 2026___________________________________