10-year approval for development at this site consisting of up to approximately 23.99…

Proposed development

permission for a 10-year approval for development at this site consisting of up to approximately 23.99 kilometres (km) of 38 kilovolts (kV) underground cable (UGC) and all associated site and development works at various locations in County Meath with a total site area of c. 25.71 ha. The proposed development consists of the following elements: •Installation of 3no. new 38 kV underground cable routes or cable route sections and all associated site and development works within the administrative area of Meath County Council (MCC) as outlined below and illustrated on the maps herein: •The proposed Coolmine cable route section in MCC is approximately 3.42 km in length crossing the townlands of Hilltown, Jarretstown and Walterstown from east to west. • The proposed Leixlip cable route section in MCC is approximately 4.08 km in length crossing the townlands of Moor of Meath, Walterstown, Rathleek, Cappaghcreen and Milestown from south to north. • The proposed Macetown cable route is wholly within MCC and is approximately 16.49 km in length crossing the townlands of Cappaghcreen, Walterstown, Milestown, Rathleek, Oranstown, Castlefarm, Dunboyne and Bennetstown from south to north. The primary purpose of the proposed underground cables is to provide electrical power to the Dart+ West Railway project as granted under the DART+ West Railway Order (ACP Ref. 314232). The proposed underground cable routes will incorporate the following elements: • Communication links and fibre optic cables between all substations in the same trench as the UGC; • Joint bays and communication chambers along the UGC alignment; • Temporary construction laydown and work areas with ancillary staff facilities and parking, temporary access tracks, passing bays and water and utility crossings; • All associated and ancillary above and below ground site development works, including works comprising or relating to permanent and temporary construction and roadworks and excavation (including HDD) and vegetation clearance. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Assessment (NIS) will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application.

What happens next

The application has been lodged and validated. The council has eight weeks to decide, unless it asks for further information.

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