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Highfield Solar, the developer of a large renewable electricity plant in Co Waterford, has won an appeal against the local authority's decision to refuse planning permission for the project in 2017.
In its decision, An Bord Pleanála found that "the proposed solar farm would not seriously injure the visual or residential amenities of the area, would be acceptable in terms of landscape impacts and traffic safety and convenience and would not endanger human health or the environment".
Four farms
The 62.8ha site between Dungarvan and Cappoquin stretches across four farms, from which the developer proposes to lease land to install solar panels for 30 years.
The fields are currently in agricultural use and would continue to be grazed by sheep once electricity production starts.
This is one of the largest planned solar projects in the Republic and the largest to obtain planning permission on appeal, according to the cases reviewed by Waterford City and Council at the time of its decision.
"Within the national context, the scale of the current proposal is considered significant," Waterford planners wrote at the time.
Objections
Neighbours and Transport Infrastructure Ireland had objected to the development on visual and road impact issues.
The decision is likely to be referred to in the cases of other solar farms going through the planning process.
Farm-based solar energy developments remain suspended to the opening of a Government support scheme for renewable electricity later this year and promised progress to clear the backlog in obtaining a connection to the national grid.
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