Planning « Thurles Information

Hydroelectric Energy Project For Tipperary Takes A Step Forward.

An Bord Pleanála has confirmed that proposed plans to establish a €650m hydroelectric pumped storage power project, to be located at the former mine site at Silvermines, Co. Tipperary, has been now been deemed developed enough to enter the permit granting process for ‘Projects of Common Interest’, latter an essential infrastructure project regarded as aimed to strengthen European energy markets, thus assisting EU energy and climate goals.

The appeals board will now evaluate the project under an EU procedure which aims to streamline the consenting process for trans-European energy projects.

This Silvermines Hydroelectric Energy Storage Project, when eventually operational, is expected to store as much as 296 Megawatts (MW), with a daily storage capacity of up to 2,175MWh of electricity, same sufficient to power 185,000 households or 21,000 small businesses daily in Ireland.

Not a new idea, but like the existing ESB Turlough Hill (292 MW) Power Plant in Co. Wicklow, first commenced in 1968, this project will see water pumped from one source, starting at ground level and delivered to a reservoir higher up, which in turn will then be released through turbines that in turn generate electricity.

The 148-hectare (366 acre) site, chosen for the project, in Co. Tipperary is situated on the Northern ridge of the Silvermines Mountain range and was first proposed initially some 9 years ago.
The project, when first made public in January of 2016, suggested that wind energy, from a wind farm on the site would be deployed at night time, during periods of less demand, to pump the water from the downhill lake to the uphill storage area.

This Silvermines Hydro project is being developed and managed by Siga-Hydro Limited, an Irish company based in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, working with the Foresight Group, a global infrastructure investor.

Accounts for a connected firm, Silvermines Tipp Hold Co Ltd, shows that it received a capital injection of €14.5m in 2023. It is estimated that the project will create some 400 jobs during its construction phase and employ as many as 50 qualified personnel in the pumping hydro station, during its operational phase.

Following the announced permit granting procedure, An Bord Pleanála will now make a final decision on the project.

Thurles Planning Alerts From Tipperary County Council.

Weekly Planning Alert from Tipperary County Council.

Application Ref: 2560150
Applicant: Tipperary Education and Training Board
Development Address: Colaiste Mhuire Co Ed Castlemeadows, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Description: 6 relocated car-parking spaces, extension to internal access road with all ancillary site works necessary to facilitate the proposed development
Status: N/a
Application Received: 28/02/2025
Decision Date: n/a
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560150/0

Application Ref: 24288
Applicant: Mrs Croghs Ltd.
Development Address: Parnell Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: an extension as built at the rear of the public house containing escape routes and storage space and PERMISSION to carry out upgrade works on the roof and exterior walls of this extension so as to tie in with the remainder of the building at No. 4 Parnell Street.
Status: Refused
Application Received: 18/12/2024
Decision Date: 19/02/2025
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/24288/0

Application Ref: 2460488
Applicant: John & Eleanor Lloyd
Development Address: Knockroe , Thurles , Co. Tipperary
Development Description: extension to existing house and all associated site works
Status: Conditional
Application Received: 18/06/2024
Decision Date: 21/02/2025
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2460488/0

Application Ref: 2460378
Applicant: Reps of the Late Michael Butler
Development Address: No 3 Lisheen Terrace, Mitchel Street, Thurles.
Development Description: the following: a) as constructed extension to rear of existing house; b) domestic store shed to the rear and boundary wall to site with all associated siteworks.
Status: Conditional
Application Received: 17/05/2024
Decision Date: 18/02/2025
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2460378/0

Planning Refused For Thurles Housing Plans.

Plans for some 86 houses and a crèche at Hayfield Manor, latter situated on the west side of the Bohernamona road, on the northern outskirts of Thurles has been refused due to it being zoned as “strategic reserve“, under the current local area plan for Thurles Town.

**Proposed Thurles Site At Hayfield Manor**.

Planners with Tipperary County Council had earlier ruled that there were no exceptional circumstances that would justify allowing development of these lands within the lifetime of the current local area plan for Thurles.

Following an appeal by the Architect on behalf of the developer; An Bord Pleanála upheld the decision of Tipperary County Council, thus refusing planning permission for this proposed project.

An Bord Pleanála have explained that the objective of zoning this 3.45-hectare (8.5 acre) site as “strategic reserve”, was to deliver housing on the lands in the subsequent local area plan, which would take effect from 2031.

Under the Thurles Local Area Plan 2024-2030, residential development is not normally permitted on sites designated as “strategic reserve”.
An Bord Pleanála also claimed there was a lack of clarity in the Natura Impact Assessment, initially submitted by the developer. The board concluded that it could not be clearly ascertained that the proposed development would not adversely affect the integrity of the Lower River Suir Special Area of Conservation.

The Tipperart local authority had received just one third-party objection regarding this proposed new housing estate.

Drish Bridge, Mill Road, Thurles Returned To Former Glory.

The temporary Stop & Go traffic lights, which were in use on the narrow Mill Road, here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, over the past number of weeks have this afternoon been fully removed.

Same temporary Stop & Go traffic light system was in use while the upgrading of the bridge crossing the River Drish, situated close to Lady’s Well, was being repaired.

Some years ago, a motorised vehicle had careered into the north facing, ancient, stone bridge wall, demolishing same into the river bed. Repairs, sadly, had been undertaken using solid modern cement blocks, causing major offence to Thurles residents.

Now some years later, in 2025, this crude offence has been corrected by Triur Construction Ltd, whose Corporate office is situated at No.13 Society Street, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, (Eircode H53 N9X3).

Full Credit Where Credit Is Correctly Due.
True to the Triur Construction company pledge, this specialist Civil Engineering & Building Company has most certainly delivered high quality, in relation to this project, with the attending skilled workforce under the supervision of a Lithuanian led supervisor.

The work was undertaken over the past few weeks, despite the most severe of Thurles weather conditions, with scaffolding having to be erected on the bed of a deep and fast moving, swollen river.

The newly replaced stone work is truly excellent and fully in keeping with the existing original structure.

I understand, the company will return soon again, when the flooded river water begins to subside; to carry out further repairs to the underside of this ancient, yet quaint historic structure.

Weekly Planning Alert from Tipperary County Council.

Weekly Planning Alert from Tipperary County Council.

Application Ref: 2460921.
Applicant: Emily Gleeson.
Agents: Donal Ryan, No.1 Liberty Square, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Address: Mill Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: a new treatment system and percolation area, alterations to existing site access and all associated site works
Status: Conditional
Application Received: 25/10/2024.
Decision Date: 12/02/2025
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2460921/0.