2560391

a 10 Year Planning Permission for a solar farm with a total area of circa 189 hectares in the townlands of Atateemore or Blackneys, Ballyhobuck, Ballyrahan, Carriganurra, Charlestown, Davidstown, Drumdowney Lower, Drumdowney Upper, Gorteens, Grogan, Kilmurry, Nicholastown, Rathpatrick, Scartnamoe, Tinvaucoosh and Treanaree in County Kilkenny. The solar farm will consist of solar panels on ground mounted frames, 27 no. single storey electrical inverter/transformer stations, 5 no. single storey spare parts containers, 3 no. Ring Main Units, 5 no. weather stations, underground electrical ducting and cabling within the development site, private lands and within the L3429, L7523, L7563, L7469, L3407, L3414, L34144, L7466, L3406, L7483, L3415, N25 and N29 public roads to connect solar farm field parcels, security fencing, CCTV, access tracks, 7 no. watercourse/drain deck crossings and 4 no. horizontal directional drill crossings (under the N25 and N29 public roads and the Luffany River), temporary construction compounds, landscaping and all associated ancillary development and drainage works. Construction and operational access will be via 7 no. existing entrances from the L3429, L7469, L7466, L4783 and L34142 which will be subject to entrance upgrade works. Separate construction phase access options are proposed for Parcel 4 via Port of Waterford and the L4783. The operational lifespan of the solar farm will be 40 years and planning permission is requested for this duration. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application