Longford County Council planners set for decision on EirGrid plans
Longford County Council planners have indicated that a decision is due on the latest phase of works at the former ESB power station at Lanesboro. The planners are assessing the latest application regarding the gas insulated switchgear (GIS) compound.
Back in 2020 Longford County Council granted planning permission to EirGrid for the redevelopment of the substation site at Lanesboro. The project will involve development of the GIS compound.
Conditional planning permission was granted by Longford County Council to EirGrid for the redevelopment of the substation site at Lanesboro.
That project involved the redevelopment of the existing 110Kv air-insulated switchgear with a gas-insulated substation.
At the time EirGrid said the 1950's station was an important point on the national electricity grid and essential in the movement of energy across the country.
The most recent application was made on June 19 last. It was an application for the construction of a gas insulated switchgear (GIS) compound measuring approximately 92.8m by 90.5m.
The proposed GIS compound will be raised to a ground level of 1.2m higher than the existing ground level at the site. It will comprise of the GIS building with an approximate gross floor space 1624.1m2 and height of 15m, in addition to six lightning protection rods, approximately 3m in height, located on the parapet of the GIS building).
An internal access track measuring approximately 245m in length and 5m in width, 15 no. car parking spaces; underground stormwater attenuation tank; underground foul wastewater pumping station and all associated site development and landscaping works.
The substation compound will be bounded by a palisade fence 2.6m in height and further enclosed by a property fence measuring 1.4m in height.
The proposed development will also consist of the redevelopment of the existing AIS 110 kV substation.
This development includes the decommissioning of the 110 kV AIS busbar and 110 kV primary plant within the existing 110 kV AIS substation.
The modification of eight existing 110 kV underground circuits which will be re-routed into the new 110 kV GIS substation; and, construction of three underground joint bays; one new gantry tower (approximate footprint of 30.2m2 and a height of 12.5m); a new line cable interface mast (approximate footprint of 123m2 and a height of 20.7m).
The plans also require the removal of the existing 110 kV OHL tower and section of cable which extends to the proposed line cable interface mast and all associated and ancillary transmission infrastructure.
The planners will also consider the construction of a distribution system operator (DSO) compound measuring approximately 30m2, construction of a landowner access road (hardcore surfacing) of approximately 91m in length and 6m in width; and all ancillary site development works to facilitate the proposed development including geotechnical and geo-environmental ground investigations, site preparation works, site clearance and levelling, site drainage and associated outfall headwall to facilitate discharge to the River Shannon, temporary construction compounds and landscaping
The site address is the existing Lanesboro Air Insulated Switchgear Substation and site of the former Lanesborough Power Station, townlands of Aghamore and Lanesborough, Lanesborough, County Longford.
The council planners anticipate reaching a decision by August 13 next.