Tipperary's €18 million all-weather plans in the balance after locals object

Plans for a new all-weather track at Tipperary could still be derailed after an appeal was lodged against planning permission being granted for the €18 million development.

Two local residents from the same address have jointly objected to Tipperary county council's decision to approve the building of Ireland's second all-weather course, a significant project for Horse Racing Ireland.

Planning permission for the development was initially granted by the council on August 19 and track officials were hopeful work would begin in the second quarter of 2023 – and for the track to open at the end of 2024.

However, the redevelopment's immediate future now rests with An Bord Pleanala, Ireland's national independent planning body that decides appeals on planning decisions made by local authorities.

Tipperary: scheduled to host 11 fixtures in 2023, although that could change if redevelopment works beginCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

A representative for An Bord Pleanala told the Racing Post it received the case on September 14, and "the board's objective is to decide the case by January 26, 2023, if possible".

The appellants raise concerns on a number of fronts such as a lack of specific information on aspects of the redevelopment, increased traffic and noise due to additional meetings taking place, light spillage from new floodlights and possible health implications related to being located in the vicinity of a proposed substation.

It was expected that no racing would take place at Tipperary once work got under way but the track is slated to have 11 fixtures – the same as this year – in the 2023 fixture list revealed this month.

Officials at Tipperary were unwilling to comment while the appeal is ongoing but it is understood a plan is in place for the fixtures to be reallocated to other tracks if work begins on schedule.

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