An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted planning permission for a 100 MW solar farm across 14 townlands in the Lee Valley, Co Cork, overturning a refusal by Cork County Council and clearing the way for one of the larger utility-scale solar developments in Munster. The project, developed by Aglish Solar Farm Limited, whose main shareholder is renewable energy firm Terra Solar, will span 161 hectares across six parcels of land on the southern bank of the River Lee, approximately one kilometre south of Coachford.

Breaking News reported that Cork County Council had refused the original application on grounds that the developer had not demonstrated sufficient archaeological investigations had been undertaken to guide the proposed development towards preserving in-situ archaeological features on the site.

An Coimisiún Pleanála overturned that decision, concluding in a 183-page report that the proposed solar farm was in accordance with European, national, and regional renewable energy policies and would align with the provisions of the Cork County Development Plan 2022-2028. The Commission was satisfied that, subject to compliance with planning conditions, the development would not have an adverse impact on the cultural and archaeological heritage of the site and surrounding area.

The Commission noted the project would make a positive contribution to Ireland's renewable energy and energy security requirements, and concluded it would not have a significant adverse impact on water quality, wildlife, the local landscape, road safety, or properties in the vicinity.

The approval adds to a growing pipeline of utility-scale solar projects in Cork, which leads Ireland with 29 sites in various stages of planning and development. Ireland has set a target of 8 GW of solar capacity by 2030, with approvals such as Aglish forming a critical component of the project pipeline required to meet that goal.

Read more on the Aglish Solar Farm approval.