Permission sought for solar farm at family home of Limerick's JP McManus

PLANNING permission is being sought for what’s been described as a solar farm at the family home of JP McManus.

An application has been lodged with planners by Noreen McManus, the wife of the businessman, for the development at Martinstown Stud in south Limerick.

If approved, the development will see some 336 solar panels installed at the sprawling estate, which was purchased by the McManus family in 1982.

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The panels would be mounted on steel support structures in a series of south-facing arrays arranged horizontally across the site for the purpose of generating renewable energy, documents to the council prepared by agents reveal.

It’s envisaged the panels will be installed near the existing residential and equestrian buildings, which the agents note are “owned by Mrs Noreen McManus”.

Solar power is energy derived from the sun's light and heat.

The works will also involve the use of short-term access routes into Martinstown Stud, and a temporary construction compound/set-down area during the installation of the panels.

A document presented to local authority planners from ecological consultancy firm Veon Ecology referenced the application for “a proposed solar farm development”.

Veon was appointed by Greenvolt Next, on behalf of the applicant to undertake an ecological impact assessment.

This is a process used to identify, quantify, and evaluate the potential effects of a proposed development on ecosystems, habitats, and species.

Should the application to build be successful, it’s envisaged the site where the solar panels will be located will be landscaped to “maintain and enhance” the existing treeline and hedgerow network along the field boundaries, agents have added.

“This scheme will provide clean, renewable energy for on-site consumption at Martinstown Stud, thereby reducing reliance on fossil-fuel generated grid electricity,” information provided to council planners reads.

“In addition to contributing to national emissions targets, the development supports energy security and sustainability within the agricultural sector, which is increasingly affected by rising energy costs and operational challenges related to climate resilience.”

It’s anticipated the solar panels will have a 30 year lifespan, with the project expected to transition Martinstown Stud to renewable energy consumption, and cutting its carbon emissions significantly, planning agents stated.

They added the plans will “utilise existing parking areas, promoting efficient land use without requiring additional undeveloped lands.”

At the heart of Martinstown Stud is a Palladian-style home, which is estimated to be more than 20 times the size of a standard four-bedroomed house.

A decision on the latest development at the property is due on August 27 next.