Ballinrea solar panel developments approved despite opposition

The development of two new solar farms in Co Cork has been approved by An Bord Pleanála — against the wishes of locals in one case and reversing a council decision to refuse planning permission in the other.
The planning appeals authority has rejected an appeal by the Ballinrea Community Group against the decision of the council to grant planning for a solar farm on several amalgamated fields over 47 hectares at Ballinrea between Carrigaline and Castletreasure.