O'Halloran Rd, National Technological Park, Castletroy Limerick

a 10 Year Planning Permission for a solar farm with a total area of circa 6.2 hectares at The National Technology Park, (in the townlands of Castletroy and Rivers), Plassey, Limerick. The solar farm will consist of solar panels on ground mounted frames, 10 no. electrical inverter stations and 1 no. single storey electrical LV/MV transformer station, 1 no. single storey spare parts container, 1 no. Ring Main Unit, underground electrical ducting and cabling within the development site, security fencing, CCTV, access tracks, temporary construction compound, landscaping and all associated ancillary development and drainage works. Construction and operational vehicle access will be via existing entrances from Plassey Park Road. The operational lifespan of the solar farm will be 25 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. This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413) and it is important to note that the planning application may be subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply

a.) the demolition and removal of the fire damaged and structurally unstable, two storey annex measuring a total of approximately 280sqm, b.) the installation of a new bike shelter and c.) all associated site works

change of use of the existing office building to Day Service, an Education and Training Facility. Alteration of 2 no. windows on the side elevations to form external doors, Construction of an awning to the side of the building, Internal alterations and all associated site works

the construction of a new covered entrance to the front of the building, provision of additional office space to the internal courtyard, HSE signage at the front entrance, landscaping to the front of the building including a paved seating area and all associated works above and below ground

construction of a single storey switch room, minor elevational changes including replacement of an external roller shutter door with double door and masonry infill and all ancillary site works

the redevelopment of an existing sports pitch to include 1 no. full size, grass rugby playing pitch, a smaller ‘training/warm up’ grassed area, an immediately adjacent changing rooms building, an additional surface water drainage system connecting to the existing campus system, a foul sewer connection from the changing rooms building to the adjacent existing campus system, a potable water connection, short lengths of ball catching nets, installation of a replacement ESB pylon to facilitate the undergrounding of overhead power lines, ground levels reconfiguration for sports field redevelopment and flood water compensation reasons, low level embankment screen populated with native hedge and woodland planting, bio-filtration, vegetated ponds and associated civil works, on UL campus grounds located in the townland of Castletroy, Co. Limerick, just to the east of Kilmurry Student Village and immediately north of the Troy Studio lands on the National Technology Park campus. The proposed development is located adjacent to a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and part of the lands are contained within an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA). A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application