Company aims to downgrade and re-apply
Planning permission has been refused for a proposed €6.5 million solar farm at Ballinvarrig East in Castlelyons.
The application by Amarenco, founded by former Bord Gais boss John Mullins, was part of an 11-strong solar farm portfolio in county Cork.
The proposal was for a 22,000 panel solar farm set on 8.57 hectares. It is understood that Amarenco, rather than issuing an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, will look to scale back their original plans to resolve the issue.
A second application will be issue at the Castlelyons site once the new plans are finalised.
This is the first planning refusal the company has faced, with two other solar farms getting the green light already in Cork, with further permission granted in county Waterford. Planning permission is currently being sought for solar farms in Rathcormac and seven other sites across Cork.
Amarenco, who already operate five solar farms in France, have plans to establish further solar farms in Kerry, Carlow, Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny.
