Tipperary County Council grants permission for 60 MW solar farm at Jamestown, Kilmolash Upper, Co. Tipperary

In context

It is one of 20 solar farm applications Tipperary County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 351 nationally. Of the 572 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 12 April 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues. The applicant sought a 10-year permission, which sets how long they have to start the development.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Tipperary County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

a 10 year planning permission for development at lands to the north of the N24 National Road in the townlands of Jamestown, Kilmolash Upper, and Rathkeevin County Tipperary. The development will consist of: - Construction and operation of a c. 60MW solar PV farm consisting of solar arrays on ground mounted steel frames, with a maximum overall height of 2.6 metres; - Internal underground electrical cabling and ducting; - Up to 20 no. transformers; 2 no. temporary construction compounds; - Security fencing and cameras; - 2 no. new gated site entrances from the R687 local road; - New internal access tracks; - Site drainage; - Landscaping; - All ancillary works. Planning permission is sought for a period of 10 years with an operational life of 40 years from the date of commissioning. A Natura Impact Statement accompanies the planning application