Cootehill Mushroom farm gets solar planning

A Cootehill-based Mushroom producer has been granted planning permission for a 1,024 sq m solar farm.

Woodside Mushrooms Ltd received the go-ahead last month for an application that was first submitted to council planners in November 2022.

The development will have the potential to generate 150kva, and the solar panels will be mounted on the ground, at a height of 2.5m.

Permission was granted, together with all associated works, with a total of four conditions attached.

The site at Drumgoney, Tullyco, Cootehill, already houses eight mushroom houses and a packaging unit.

In documents submitted, it is stated that the siting of the proposed development will have “no visual impact” given the location's seclusion and wooded surrounds.

It is one of several farm-related developments to receive the green light from planners in Cavan over the past month.

Finaway Farms Unlimited Company of Finaway, Ballyjamesduff, were granted permission to demolish/decommission two existing storage sheds and ancillary structures, and retain one other storage shed, as well as construct an extension to one existing pig house.

A total of five conditions were attached to the approval of an extension measuring 374sqm at a height of 6.2m.

An external report from Inland Fisheries Ireland, having reviewed the application, found no issues with the proposed development once the number of pig houses is within existing EPA guidelines.

In Crosserlough meanwhile, Wilton Beef Company Ltd received planning permission to retain an existing agricultural meal shed and three silage pits.

The construction of two agricultural livestock sheds with underground slatted slurry storage tanks and an underground rainwater harvesting tank was also approved, as was the installation of solar panels on the south facing roof sections.

Two more roofed silage pits, machinery shed, and roofs over all three existing silage pits, and the existing underground slatted slurry storage tank, were also permitted.

Finally, permission was granted to demolish existing lean-to shed and construct an extra bay onto an existing livestock shed.

Significant further information regarding a lease agreement for additional lands available for spreading of livestock manures and revised plans were submitted as part of the application process.

Permission was granted with 10 conditions attached.

An internal report within the council raised concerns regarding the stated sightlines of the development achievable from the public road.