Latest news with #NaturaImpactStatement
Irish Independent
22-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Plans submitted for a 63-hectare solar farm in Ashbourne
The council received a major planning application from Solar Farmers Limited for the development of a ground-mounted solar PV energy installation spanning approximately 62.96 hectares across the townlands of Knavinstown and Coolfore, near Ashbourne. The proposed renewable energy project seeks a 10-year planning permission. The development will include solar panels mounted on fixed-tilt frames, supported by pile-driven structures. It also features inverters, transformers, and a dedicated client substation to manage and distribute the generated electricity. To support operations and connectivity, the application includes the construction of internal access tracks and the installation of underground cabling throughout the site. The entire perimeter will be secured with deer fencing, while CCTV security poles will be installed. Additional elements of the project include on-site welfare facilities and a temporary construction compound to facilitate the build phase. Site access will be provided via an existing entrance along the R155 regional road, which will be upgraded and widened as part of the project. The proposal has been accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS), submitted to assess potential environmental effects and ensure compliance with EU Habitats and Birds Directives.
Irish Independent
15-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Meath primary school lodges planning application for major expansion
The proposed development aims to enhance facilities for both mainstream and special educational needs (SEN) students. A single-storey extension is planned to the south-west of the current school building and will include two new mainstream classrooms, each measuring 80 square metres, along with two Special Education Teaching (SET) rooms of 15 square metres each. The catholic school, in Navan, which has been opened since 2003 plans to feature two SEN classrooms of 70 square metres, two quiet spaces of 12 square metres, and a central activity space spanning 80 square metres. A 20-square-metre multi-activity room and a dedicated daily living skills area are also proposed, supporting the school's SEN provision. Other internal facilities include an office, a Changing Place facility, staff toilets, a cleaners' store, shower areas, and a range of additional storage and ancillary spaces. Externally, the development will include a new secure soft play area and a sensory garden, both covering 100 square metres. The project also makes provision for 12 covered bicycle parking spaces and six additional car parking spaces to the east of the site, including one accessible parking space. As part of the wider site layout, 16 existing car parking spaces to the south will be rearranged, and the current 270 square metre playground will be relocated to the rear northwest section of the school grounds. The application has been accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS), ensuring that the environmental implications of the development are assessed in accordance with statutory requirements.
Irish Independent
12-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Plans for Wicklow biomethane plant refused after raft of public submissions
Located on a 4.02 hectare greenfield site in Moneylane, the facility was proposed to generate 8,000 tonnes of solid digestate fibre and approximately 17,000 tonnes of liquid digestate concentrate from the biogas production via anaerobic digestion, a natural biological decomposition process that takes place in an oxygen-free environment, where micro-organisms break down organic matter. Submitted by landowner/local dairy farmer Seoirse McGrath and Nephin Renewable Gas – Moneylane Limited, the c. 3,482 sqm development would have seen the construction of three digesters, two digestate storage structures and a part single-storey and part two-storey reception hall to accommodate a laboratory, along with an odour abatement plant, a weighbridge, an ESB substation, a two-storey office and administration building. The applicants proposed that the plant would take in 90,000 tonnes of cattle slurry, manure, poultry litter, vegetable residues, drinks and dairy production residues and whole crop silage per year to produce renewable biomethane, which would be injected via a connection to the gas network into the grid, with the digestate (liquid and solid) resulting from the process converted into biobased fertiliser products to be utilised on farms supplying the facility. Like similar facilities proposed across the country, a significant number (21) of public submissions were made on the application, citing concerns about pollution, environmental issues, health, sustainability of feedstock, traffic and the facility's rural setting. Among the concerns highlighted by one submission were the applicants failure to carry out a comprehensive Natura Impact Statement, fully assess the significant visual, noise, and odour impacts, the 'inappropriate siting of an industrial-scale energy facility within an unzoned, agricultural rural area', and the 'wholly inadequate road network surrounding the site'. It also noted the absence of any 'detailed, enforceable plan for the collection, removal, and land-spreading of digestate', the failure to adequately address the hydrological risks arising from surface water runoff, the misrepresentation of local support and feedstock sourcing, and the siting of a high-capacity, anaerobic digestion facility within 'as little as 60 metres of occupied residential dwellings'. Refusing the application, a Wicklow County Council planner noted issues with the development being in a rural location, 'insufficient details' around the sourcing of base materials, and that the L-6189 road is not suited to accommodate HGVs (Heavy Goods Vehicles). 'The proposed development is located in a rural area, which is a relatively short distance from zoned employment lands,' the planner commented. 'It is considered that the applicant has failed to provide a robust justification and demonstration that the proposed development should be, or is required to be, located in a rural area, and would not be suitable for locating on nearby zoned lands. 'In addition, the applicant has provided insufficient details of the suppliers and their relative locations, and the type and quantity of input from each source and how this can be guaranteed going forward to serve the proposed 90,000 tonnes of feedstock per annum requirement. 'The proposed development would endanger public safety by reason of a serious traffic hazard due to inadequate sightlines both from the proposed entrance and regarding limited forward visibility and stopping distances on the narrow L-6189 road. 'In addition, the L-6189 is narrow and cannot safely accommodate proposed HGV trucks passing other vehicles, where the use of the informal passing bays would not be acceptable, particularly where their safe operation is reliant on the maintenance of existing hedgerows.' The applicant may appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála up to four weeks from the date of WCC's decision (May 28).
Irish Independent
30-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Plans submitted in Kilkenny for construction of 22 new homes
A planning application has been received by Kilkenny County Council from Raggett Homes Ltd for the construction of 22 new homes Today at 06:44 A planning application has been submitted to Kilkenny County Council for a new residential development of 22 new detached houses consisting of three four-bedroom and 19 five-bedroom homes. The application which was submitted by Raggett Homes Ltd. also includes plans for a detached single storey domestic garage measuring 2,763 square metres of public open space. Additional works proposed in the submission include landscaping and boundary treatments such as new planting, water and utility services with additional works listed including connections and lighting. The housing and ancillary works are proposed to take place above and below ground at the site surrounding Glendine House, Glendine Road, Glendine, Kilkenny. The 22 houses will be accessed via the existing access to the pre-existing dwelling immediately to the north of Glendine Road. The proposal also includes the creation of a new vehicular entrance to the proposed development and to Glendine House from Glendine Road. The existing entrance for vehicles to Glendine House will be incorporated as a pedestrian entrance to the proposed housing unit listed in the planning application and is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS.). The application was submitted on May 19, 2025 and Kilkenny County Council are expected to come to a decision by July 13, 2025.
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Planning permission approved for accessibility improvements at Leitrim train station
Leitrim County Council has approved an application for accessibility improvements at Dromod Train Station on the Mohill Road. The application details the addition of a mobility impaired access structure (MIAS) that will be within the curtilage of six protected structures. The structure is a hybrid assembly of different concrete and steel elements including a pair of staircases (two flights each), free standing lift shafts, support portals, electrical services and a walkway. Associated works will include the removal of 10 car parking spaces, the relocation of three designated parking bays, provision of a new waiting shelter on platform two and repositioning of a wall to the MIAS on platform one. The application includes a temporary haul road at construction stage, and all other ancillary works. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and was submitted to the planning authority with the application. The planning permission has been approved subject to nine conditions. One of the conditions centres on the Mobility Impaired Accessibility Structure which is to be relocated 20 metres in a northward (Carrick-on-Shannon) direction further along the platform from that shown on the Site Layout Plan submitted to the Planning Authority. This will necessitate the repositioning of the proposed Waiting Shelter and the extension of the existing platform in addition to amending the proposed car parking layout to ensure that the accessible car parking spaces are located proximate to the relocated Mobility Impaired Accessibility Structure. The existing pedestrian entrance serving Dromod Station shall not be altered to facilitate the proposed development, and the adjoining stone wall shall be retained to the maximum extent possible and practicable. ADVERTISEMENT Prior to the commencement of development, a revised Site Layout Plan to a scale of 1:500 demonstrating compliance with this condition shall be submitted to the Planning Authority and the written agreement of the Planning Authority obtained with respect to same. Other conditions include that a noise and vibration management Plan shall be developed by the appointed contractor and noise levels shall not exceed permissible levels for construction works.
