Ecologists employed by a subsidiary of John Magnier’s Coolmore Stud company 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 10-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, said in a report that the project was being 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 €6.5 million 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.
Before lodging the plans, a three-month consultation process was held including a two-day public event in Killough Castle which 136 individuals attended.
Addressing the visual impact the scheme may have on Killough Castle, Fehily Timoney said the scheme involved an archaeological/cultural heritage buffer area of 65.5 acres and the consultants said that this “would preserve the visual and amenity value of the castle and its immediate surroundings”.
In relation to the insect hotels, Fehily Timoney said that they would be made from recycled materials, pallets, bamboo and wire mesh.
“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 consultants said.
The report noted that “insect hotels are used as nest sites by insects including solitary bees and solitary wasps. “
Along with the insect hotels, Marmoris 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 said that the species enhancement measures would be checked annually for the first three years to assess whether habitats have been successfully established.
A decision is due on the application at the end of next month.
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