Site planning risk brief

Application to An Bord Pleanála for a ten-year permission in relation to a proposed development in the townland of Knockardagur, Co. Laois as described below:- i. A 110 kilovolt (kV) ‘loop-in/loop-out’ Air-Insulated Switchgear (AIS) electrical substation with a ‘split level’ design, including 2 no. single-storey control buildings (with a Gross Floor Area of 589 square metres), 1 no. transformer bay, 2 no. line bays and all associated electrical equipment, services and lighting within an up to 2.95 metre high fenced compound (with a total footprint of 13,100 square metres); ii. 2 no. lattice-type strain towers with a maximum height of up to 21m and approximately 70m of 110kV overhead electricity lines to facilitate connection of the proposed substation to the permitted 110kV Laois-Kilkenny Grid Reinforcement Project electricity transmission line (An Bord Pleanála Reference PL11.VA0015); iii. Approximately 0.65km of on-site access track with associated site entrance from local public road (L77951); and iv. All associated and ancillary site development, excavation, construction, landscaping and reinstatement works, including provision of site drainage infrastructure and surface water protection measures. The site of the proposed development has a total area of c. 5.5 hectares. The proposed development will facilitate the export of renewable electricity generated at the permitted ‘Pinewoods Wind Farm’ (An Bord Pleanála Reference PL11.248518/Laois County Council Planning Register Reference 16/260 & An Bord Pleanála Reference PL10.248392/Kilkenny County Council Planning Register Reference 17/62) to the national electricity grid. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement have been prepared in respect of the proposed development and accompany this planning application.

Amend the wind farm development permitted under An Bord Pleanála Reference PL11.248518 (Laois County Council Planning Register Reference 16/260) to provide: (i) an increase in the rotor diameter of the wind turbines from 103 metres to 117 metres; (ii) a reduction in the hub height of the wind turbines from 85 metres to 78 metres, thus retaining the permitted overall tip height of the wind turbines of 136.5 metres; (iii) the re-siting of wind turbines T8, T9, and T10 and their associated foundations and crane hardstandings by 3 metres, 5.5 metres and 10 metres respectively; and (iv) all associated site development, drainage, access and reinstatement works. This planning application is accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report/Environmental Impact Statement which includes an assessment of the likely effects of the proposed development, as a whole and In combination with the relevant off-site or secondary developments which will occur as a direct result of the proposed development, including the infrastructure associated with the wind farm development permitted pursuant to Laois County Council Planning Register Reference 16/260 (An Bord Pleanála Reference PL11.248518) and Kilkenny County Council Planning Register Reference 17/62 (An Bord Pleanála Reference PL10.248392) and the electricity substation permitted pursuant to An Bord Pleanála Reference ABP-308448-20. This planning application is also accompanied by Natura Impact Statement.

Construct milking shed with dairy, loose area, cubicle, slatted tanks and drafting area and all associated site works

Construct a new slatted cubicle shed with underground effluent tanks together with all other associated site works

Construct a milking parlour, collecting yard, meal bin, slatted tank and cubicle shed, an extension to an existing shed which will include a slatted tank, silage pit and all associated site works

For Installation of a new treatment system / percolation area to service existing house, including all associated site works