Just last month, Marmoris Limited, trading as Killough Solar, lodged a planning application with Tipperary Co. Council following the purchase of Killough Castle, Killough, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and its accompanying 527 acres of land of by Mr John Magnier’s Coolmore Stud Farm, last year.
Marmoris in their planning application, are seeking a ten-year planning permission for 745,168 square metres of solar panels in the town lands of Killough, Clohoge and Graigue in Co. Tipperary.
Some 30 submissions have since been lodged with the council, condemning the planning application on the grounds of:-
Scale of the development would result in a major visual intrusion.
Present road infrastructure totally unsuitable.
Loss of value to existing homes.
Proposed development could potentially prevent others from getting planning permission for future domestic dwellings.
Golden Vale area traditionally used for food output and brownfield sites with good roads and waste infrastructures should be considered as an alternative.
The planning consultants for the scheme, Fehily Timoney, confirm that the project is led by Coolmore Stud and is designed to complement Coolmore’s environmental and sustainability initiatives, while benefiting the local community and contributing to Ireland’s renewable energy targets.
Locals are asking questions as to why was this recently purchased Killough Castle farm selected over and above the other almost 11,000 acres of land in the ownership of Coolmore Stud?
The Killough solar farm set 6.5km south of Thurles would according to the planning application, create 80 to 100 jobs, during its anticipated 18-month construction period.
A decision is expected on this planning application by the end of this month.
Meanwhile, as we reported on January 30th, 2025, Major opposition, grave concerns and extreme anger has irrupted, due to a planning application for a wind-farm & battery farm on the northern outskirts of Thurles town, in the townlands of Brittas, Rossestown, Ballygammane and Clobanna. The planning application seeks permission for 10 to 12X 185m(1542ft) high turbines, together with an accompanying battery farm, latter to store generated electricity, same to be occasioned by this proposed project. View Here.
Weekly Planning Alerts and Updates from Tipperary County Council.
Application Ref: 2560079 Applicant: Ms Paula Barry Development Address: 18 Sarsfield Street , Thurles , Co. Tipperary Development Description:a) a proposed new extension to the existing dwelling; b) associated alterations to existing dwelling to accommodate proposed new extension & internal layout; c) alterations to the existing detached shed structure; d) all associated site works. Status: N/A Application Received: 07/02/2025 Decision Date: N/A Further Details:http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560079/0
Application Ref: 2461054 Applicant: Ms Marie O’Kelly Development Address: No. 10 Ikerrin Court , Thurles , Co. Tipperary Development Description: an extension to the side of dwelling with minor elevation changes to the existing dwelling with all associated siteworks Status: Conditional Application Received: 07/12/2024 Decision Date: 06/02/2025 Further Details:http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2461054/0
Application Ref: 2461043 Applicant: Thurles Sarsfields GAA Club Development Address: Toor, Nenagh Road , Thurles Development Description: the change of design of dressing room building from that previously granted under planning permission number 22/197, and all associated site works and services Status: Conditional Application Received: 05/12/2024 Decision Date: 05/02/2025 Further Details:http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2461043/0
Application Ref: 2461016 Applicant: Mr Jack Moore Development Address: 5 Bohernanave , Thurles , Co. Tipperary Development Description: renovations and an extension to the rear of house with all associated site works Status: Conditional Application Received: 28/11/2024 Decision Date: 28/01/2025 Further Details:http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2461016/0
At first, we thought it was caused by storm Éowyn, but then we heard that it was possible that proposed notion(or was it motion, whatever), put forward last December, by Fine Gael Tipperary Cllr. Ms Peggy Ryan; latter seeking more short term parking in the centre of Thurles, that had suddenly materialised. But not so, on making enquiries, (facts not yet fully confirmed) it appears that one of the many heavy goods vehicles, laden with some 3500 kg (3.5 Metric tons) of produce; all of which are forced to pass daily through Liberty Square town centre, simply ran out of narrow road, while attempting to progress unto Slievenanon Road.
Railings removed for the second time, on entering Slievenamon Road from Liberty Square. Picture: G. Willoughby.
Thankfully, no Latte Coffee drinking pedestrians, normally seated in this general area, were killed or injured and the rate-paying businesses will happily have no problem in paying for the damaged railings. Engineers who came up with the farcical and ill-conceived planning of this area will not be found financially liable. Sadly however our one remaining local Thurles TD (we learned today) will no longer have speaking rights in Dáil Éireann, to ask for an update on funding for the 50 year old awaited ‘Ring Road’, latter the answer to this ongoing demolition problem.
Railings removed last August for the 4th time and not yet repaired. Picture: G. Willoughby.
However, look on the bright side; one additional benefit has come out of this latest piece of demolition work. Both sides of this junction, entering and exiting unto Liberty Square, are now almost a perfect match, thus greatly enhancing the Thurles town centre.
Major opposition, grave concerns and extreme anger has irrupted, due to a planning application for a wind-farm on the outskirts of Thurles town, at townlands of Brittas, Rossestown, Ballygammane and Clobanna. The planning application provides for 10 to 12 X 185m high turbines, together with an accompanying battery farm, latter to store electricity, same to be generated by this proposed project.
These turbines to be erected, we understand, reach some 170 metres(590 feet) in height, (e.g. five times the height of Thurles Cathedral), and would introduce a massive invasion of towering infrastructure overlooking the town and surrounding countryside.
The proposed wind turbines are expected to generate/export at least 60 million watts, if erected in the nearby townlands of Brittas, Rossestown and Clobanna, all situated less than a 5 to 10 minute drive north of Thurles town. We understand that the plans include an underground cable connection to the national electricity grid.
The now launched Brittas Wind Farm and Ballygammane Battery Farm Action Group have begun an online campaign in their effort to fundraise some €10,000, same required to oppose this planning, now ruled as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) by An Bord Pleanála.
Proposed Storage Battery Farm.
In May of last year the planning appeals board ruled that the Brittas wind farm project constituted a Strategic Infrastructure Development, requiring Brittas Windfarm Limited, to submit their plans directly to An Bord Pleanála.
The newly formed Brittas and Ballygammane action group held a public protest meeting on Wednesday last, January 15th, at which it was agreed that a target of €10,000 could be reached if 100 individuals donated €100. Within the last 10 days, the action group, has already generated over €5,320 in donations and further donations of even small amounts will be greatly appreciated. Funds collected will be strictly used towards paying consultants to make the town’s case to An Bord Pleanála, thus bringing a halt to this threat of a wind farm development and its associated battery storage farm.
Concerns were expressed at the meeting, regarding the downgrading of local property values, construction disruption, visual impact, noise, flicker impact and the immediate obvious repercussion on this area’s environment.
At the protest meeting there was also a major concern expressed that a battery farm, of some 48 battery storage units, now proposed for the Ballygammane townland, could go on fire; with the impact of this on Thurles and surrounding villages visualised as being immense, while this project financially benefits only a few individuals.
Planning application details: Ref: File 257, (Tipperary County Council).
Application Type: Permission for Retention.
Received Date: 22/01/2025.
Decision Due Date: 18/03/2025.
Applicant name: Rossa Drinks Ltd.
Development Description:
(1) Revisions to the internal layout of the public house at the dining area, associated kitchen facilities and toilet facilities. (2) Shopfront design on the Parnell Street facade fronting the dining area of the public house. (3) Revised layout of the 1st floor residential unit over the public house including rear balcony with access to enclosed yard space at the rear of 8 and 9 Parnell St, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. (4) Change of use of the enclosed rear yard space (at the rear of 8 and 9 Parnell Street, Thurles) to yard space for storage for both the public house and the 1st floor residential unit and the existing buildings to storage buildings associated with the public house. (5) A roofed structure providing a sheltered yard space at the rear of the public house. (6) Change of use of an existing outbuilding adjacent to the sheltered yard space to use as a small service hatch and associated storage rooms.
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