Green light for solar farm

Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for a 5,400 sq m solar farm near Macroom, Co Cork.

Reeve Wave Ltd got the green light despite a number of objections to build the steel-frame mounted solar panels, on an elevated site at Ballytrasna, Lissarda.

The planning appeals’ board upheld a decision by Cork County Council last February to grant permission for the development which has an expected lifespan of 25 years. After that time the land will be returned to agricultural use.

The company plans to mount the solar panels on steel frames which will be no higher than 3.5 metres.

The panels will be built on a slope along with an electricity control room, underground cable ducts and a boundary security fence.

Objectors had said the large solar development could have a negative impact on tourism in the area.

They also claimed, among other things, permission had been refused in the past for a housing development on the site, as it would be out of character in what was a rural, low-density residential area.

They were also claims that the project would cause glare and have a negative impact on neighbouring properties as well as vehicles travelling on the main Cork-Killarney road.

Bord Pleanála inspector Michael Dillon noted the Cork County Development Plan stated “careful consideration needs to be given to scale, location and other impacts’ of solar farms”.

He said, however, there was no specific strategy in the plan for such developments, unlike in the case of wind farms.

Mr Dillon recommended granting permission for the solar farm. He said it was appropriate in size given the pattern of development in the vicinity and the proposal to screen the boundaries of the site.

The inspector had added 13 conditions to the approval and said if they were complied with “the development would not detract from the residential or visual amenities of the area.”