Ecologists employed by a John Magnier Coolmore Stud firm are to install a number of 'insect hotels' on the site of a planned large-scale solar farm in south Tipperary.
The planned ‘insect hotels’ are part of a series of species enhancement measures proposed by Marmoris Ltd, trading as Killough Solar, for the solar farm that is to cover 247 acres of land at Killough, 6.5km south of Thurles.
In the planning application, Marmoris is seeking a ten-year planning permission for 745,168 sq metres of solar panels on a 549 acre site in the town lands of Killough, Clohoge and Graigue, Co Tipperary.
Planning consultants for the scheme, Fehily Timoney state 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".
The lodging of the plans follows Coolmore Stud paying out a reported €6.5m for Killough Castle and accompanying estate of 527 acres in the early part of last year.
The documentation states that Killough Solar will create 80 to 100 jobs during the anticipated 18-month construction phase.
Prior to lodging the plans, the promoters last October completed a two day public consultation process where 136 individuals attended Killough Castle over two days.
In response to the visual impact the scheme may have on Killough Castle, Fehily Timoney state that a very low density of solar panels at around 40pc of landholding, is being proposed.
The scheme involves an Archaeological/Cultural Heritage 'buffer area' of 65.5 acres and the consultants state that "this will preserve the visual and amenity value of the castle and its immediate surroundings".
The planning report states that the solar farm location "had also been carefully selected for its discrete low-lying setting, being substantially bordered by over 50 hectares of woodland and a large open quarry".
In relation to the ‘insect hotels’, Fehily Timoney state that the ‘insect hotels’ will be made from recycled materials, pallets, bamboo, wire mesh.
The consultants state that "each hotel will consist of several different sections that provide insects with nesting facilities - particularly during winter, offering shelter or refuge for many types of insects".
The report states that "Insect hotels are used as nest sites by insects including solitary bees and solitary wasps. These insects drag prey to the nest where an egg is deposited".
The report states that sections of these hotels will be specifically designed to allow the insects to hibernate and notable examples include ladybirds and butterflies.
Along with the ‘insect hotels’, the Coolmore firm employed-ecologists are also planning to install 12 bat boxes, a Barn Owl nest box, two kestrel boxes, three Kingfisher perches and eight bee nest boxes.
The report states that the species enhancement measures will be checked annually for the first three years to assess whether habitats have been successfully established.
The application lodged with the Council is one of three consents Marmoris requires for the solar farm to proceed.
Along with the planning permission required from the Council, Marmoris Ltd will also need a separate consent for the underground electrical grid connection between the solar farm and a proposed 110kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation.
The project will also require a grid connection to the national grid from EirGrid.
A decision is due on the planning application at the end of next month.
The two consultation process at Killough Castle was part of a three month long consultation process with the local community prior to the plans being lodged.
Reporting by Gordon Deegan
