A decision is expected to be made next month on an application to develop a solar photovoltaic energy generation scheme on lands at Kilcrummer Upper, around 2.5km southeast of Castletownroche.

Highfield Solar Ltd, an Irish company registered in Dublin, has applied to Cork County Council for permission to construct a solar farm with a total site area of 21.9 hectares.

The company say the solar energy scheme is intended to produce electricity for use in Ireland, with an embedded electricity generator connected to the local electricity distribution scheme.

Their application consists of 10-year permission for the construction of the development, which includes one single-storey substation building, electrical transformer/inverter station modules, solar PV panels ground mounted on steel support structures, access roads and associated site works.

The land is presently primarily used for cattle grazing. Highfield Solar say no solar panels will be placed within a distance of 150 metres from any existing residence and that the development may be visable to a ‘limited degree’ around the proposed site.