Tipperary County Council grants permission for 34.1-hectare solar farm at Brehony's Bog, Monaincha, 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 17 April 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

the installation of a 34.11hectare/84.28 acre solar farm at lands known as Brehony's Bog, within the townland of Monaincha, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary (E: 616980, N: 687790 (ITM)). The solar farm will consist of a series solar photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on steel support structures and will measure 2.00m in overall height. Ancillary development to the installation of solar PV panels includes 12no. transformers; 106no. pole-mounted CCTV cameras measuring 2.75m high; underground cabling; 3.80km (approx.) of fenceline measuring 2.00m at highest point; creation of new graded internal access tracks approximately 4.00m wide from two existing gated entrances on northern site boundary, each measuring 6.50m wide. A temporary compound measuring 5,000sqm will be established during the construction phase of the solar farm, whereupon the area will then be used for the siting of solar PV panels following the construction phase. The proposed solar farm will operate over a 40-year period, after which it will be decommissioned, with all associated lands returned to their original use. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and submitted in support of this planning application