23/5270
10 year planning permission for a solar farm with a total area of circa 126 hectares comprising of solar panels on ground mounted frames with a surface area of circa 532,000m2, 21 no. single storey electrical inverter/transformer stations, 5 no. single storey energy storage modules, 3 no. single storey spare parts containers, 12 no. ring main units, 5 no. weather stations, underground electrical ducting and cabling within the development site, private lands and within the R630, L7657, L7658 and L7659 public roads to connect to solar farm field parcels, security fencing, CCTV, access tracks, 1 no. drain deck crossing, temporary construction compounds, landscaping and all associated ancillary development works. Construction and operational access will be via entrances from L7657, L7658 and L7659. The operational life span of the solar farm will be 40 years and planning permission is requested for its duration. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and submitted to the planning authority with the application.
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed 126-hectare solar farm would negatively impact the character and visual amenity of the Metropolitan Cork Greenbelt, High Value Landscape, and designated scenic routes.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The scale and elevated location of the development would fail to preserve the character of the Metropolitan Greenbelt and strategic undeveloped gaps between settlements.
- The project would result in significant adverse visual and landscape impacts on a High Value Landscape and a designated scenic route (S 51) of national importance.
- The proposal materially contravenes multiple landscape and greenbelt objectives of the Cork County Development Plan 2022 and would set an undesirable precedent for similar large-scale developments.