Leamlara Preservation Group is taking a judicial review to the High Court following An Coimisiún Pleanála’s decision to overturn Cork County Council’s refusal of planning permission for a major industrial-scale solar farm proposed for the area.

The proposed development would cover approximately 450 acres of rural east Cork, with local residents raising serious concerns about its scale, visual impact, proximity to homes, archaeological implications and environmental effects.

Additionally, the potential impact on water run-off has been highlighted as a concern in an area already acutely aware of flood risk, following the significant flooding in Midelton as a result of storm Babet in 2023.

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Cork County Council had previously refused permission for the development, citing concerns including the scale and visual impact of the proposal, potential archaeological and cultural heritage issues and questions around surface water run-off.

Legal review

However, An Coimisiún Pleanála subsequently overturned that decision and Leamlara Preservation Group is seeking a legal review of the process as a result.

Leamlara Preservation Group is a local community action group established to protect the heritage, landscape and rural character of Leamlara and the surrounding area.

“We want to be very clear: we are not opposed to renewable energy,” chair of Leamlara Preservation Group Califf Delaney stated.

“Many of us support solar power and the transition to cleaner energy. But rural communities must have a meaningful voice in where and how major energy infrastructure is located.

“Developments of this scale cannot simply be imposed on communities without proper regard for the people, homes, heritage and landscape affected.”

The group has been granted leave to bring a judicial review to the High Court. However, the group has said that this brings a significant financial burden to a small group of residents, families and volunteers.

Fundraiser

To help meet these costs, the group is running a major fundraising raffle, with an electric car as the headline prize. The group is urgently appealing to people across the wider county to buy tickets and share the fundraiser.

“Every ticket bought helps a small rural community stand up for fairness, proper process and the right of local people to be heard. This is not just about Leamlara. It is about whether communities across Ireland can realistically challenge decisions that affect their homes, their environment and their future,” Delaney said.

The fundraiser can be accessed here.