34.1-hectare solar farm proposed at Monaincha, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary

In context

It is one of 20 solar farm applications Tipperary County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 329 nationally. Of the 571 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

The five-week window for public submissions has closed. The council normally decides within eight weeks of the application being lodged, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

The development description, as lodged

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

RED III - Soleire Renewables SPV Alpha 2 Ltd intend to apply for planning permission to amend the design of the previously approved development (Planning Reference: Tipperary County Council 2360677) which comprises consent for a 10-year period to construct and a 40-year period to operate a 34.11-hectare Solar PV Energy Development at Monaincha Townland, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. The proposed amendments include: (1) removal of solar panels south of the solar farm, (2) reduction in the overall number of transformer stations, with an increase in their respective areas and foundations, (3) minor increase in array height from 2m to a maximum height of 2.52m, (4) reduction in the area of concrete shoes, (5) minor increase in the height of the deer-type fencing, (6) minor increase to a minimum row spacing of 3.6m, (7) provision of a minimum distance of 4m between the modules and the perimeter fencing, (8) reduction and reconfiguration of the internal access tracks, including relocation of the access road on the eastern side of the field to comply with the watercourse buffer area, (9) strengthening of the existing watercourse crossing, including the provision of a culvert for the interconnector cable, to facilitate operational and maintenance (O&M) access and connectivity between the northern and southern, (10) relocation of the transformer station within the northern plot and (11) relocation of the temporary construction compound. A Natura Impact Statement will also be submitted to the Planning Authority for this proposed development.