Plans for support base in north Louth for offshore wind arrays

Plans are underway in north Louth for the construction of a support base, on a site of c.4.88 hectares, for future offshore wind arrays in the Irish Sea.

Greenore Port Unlimited Company has applied to Louth County Council for planning permission for a 10-year permission development at Greenore Port and the site of a dwelling house on the Shore Road, Greenore.

The proposed development, comprises Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Facilities that would serve as the support base for future offshore wind arrays in the Irish Sea.

The applicant is seeking planning for, three standalone buildings, comprising warehouse space; office space; and plant, welfare, storage, ancillary and circulation space. The height of each unit ranges from 7.2m for the warehouse to 13.5m max for an office three-storey element.

76 car parking spaces are planned, including six disabled parking spaces and 15 electric vehicle (EV) charging spaces. Each building includes an internal bike storage room, with 20 spaces per building. Each building includes rooftop solar photovoltaic panels.

The application also provides for nearshore works including the dredging of harbour sediments to -4m Chart Datum to provide navigable water depths, a new quay wall (70m), a 40m anti-slip access ramp, and floating pontoon for berthing crew transfer vessels. Nine berths are proposed, with an additional two layby berths and a push-on / service berth adjacent to the new quay wall.

Improvement works to the quay deck are planned, including installation of a new reinforced concrete deck with surface water management system incorporating silt traps and hydrocarbon interceptors, and berth infrastructure including bollards, fenders, ladders, lifesaving equipment, power outlets and fire hydrants.

There are plans for a surface car park at the residential site on Shore Road comprising 135 car parking spaces, including ducting for 30 EV charging spaces, relocation of the existing entrance on Shore Road by c.6m to the east, a new boundary wall to Shore Road and a pedestrian access route from the car park through port lands to the O&M Units crossing improved public realm at top of Euston Street.

The applicant is seeking the go ahead for the re-instatement of the former Open Hydro carpark, with 62 spaces, until the surface car park on Shore Road is operational.

There are plans for an to upgrade to the public/private realm in the foreground of the existing Greenore Port Office building, including the upgrade of the existing entrance to the former open hydro carpark; a new pedestrian gate; new feature wall entrance; removal of six port car parking spaces; a link to new pedestrian route from surface carpark including new opening in port boundary wall; and hard and soft landscaping. 

The planning application also provides for the replacement of an existing 25m mast with a new 40m mast to facilitate communications with CTV’s while offshore; demolition works at a number of buildings to facilitate the development; and all associated site and development works. 

The applicant says that the proposed works are partially located within the Greenore Architectural Conservation Area (ACA), and also adds that there are no Protected Structures within the proposed development site.

A decision is due on the application by 22 July, with submissions due by 1 July 2024.