Peter Sweetman wins solar farm planning challenge in High Court

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Peter Sweetman successfully challenged An Bord Pleanála’s permission for a proposed solar farm in the High Court on 31 January 2020. The 67.8-hectare development was planned for Fiddane, Ballyhea, Co Cork.

Mr Justice Denis McDonald found that the board had not properly screened the project for an Environmental Impact Assessment, making its permission invalid.

The judge dismissed other arguments about the European Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and held that proceedings against the State were not properly pleaded. The court adjourned the matter while the parties considered whether it could be sent back to the board for fresh consideration.