IRISH racing will definitely be getting a second all-weather track following this week’s decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for the construction of a synthetic racing surface under floodlights at Tipperary Racecourse.

It was in March 2020, just days before the Covid lockdown, that Horse Racing Ireland first revealed that it had selected Tipperary as the site for the facility.

Uncertainty around funding in the wake of Covid meant that the application for planning permission was not submitted until June 2022.

The local authorities were quick to rubber-stamp the project within two months but there was a single local objection in September 2022 which meant that nothing could happen until An Bord Pleanála gave a final decision.

The verdict was expected by January 2023 but was only delivered this week, 12 months behind schedule.

However, the good news was that full permission was granted and even though there are 12 conditions attached they are not considered to be difficult to meet.

A spokesperson for HRI said: “Horse Racing Ireland welcomes the decision of An Bord Pleanála to approve the grant of planning permission for the Tipperary all-weather track project, and will now take the time to study the An Bord Pleanála report.

“HRI continues to work through procurement and funding strategies for the project while we await the Departmental approvals required under the Public Spending Code. We are in regular, on-going engagement with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to ensure that the project maintains momentum.”

Racecourse manager Andrew Hogan added: “At a local level there is huge enthusiasm for the plans to build an all-weather track at Tipperary racecourse, so it is a really positive step to see the decision of Tipperary County Council upheld by An Bord Pleanála.

“This is a project which will transform the racing landscape in the mid-west region and generate significant local employment and tourism benefits, as well as securing the future of a crucial piece of racing infrastructure.”

The track will be over one mile and three furlongs in circumference, with a six-furlong straight. Of all the synthetic tracks in the world, only Newcastle is thought to be bigger.

Constructing the track itself will take 18 months but it is impossible to say when that process will begin until the construction team has been appointed following a tendering process.

When the project is completed Tipperary will have both turf and all-weather racing, and will still be able to host jumps racing too. However, the five-furlong turf track will be scrapped and a new grandstand will be needed.

One of the conditions attached to the planning permission is that floodlights shall not operate between 10pm and 7am and must be directed onto the all-weather track and away from adjacent homes and the public road.

Further details of the project’s timeline are expected to be made public when Horse Racing Ireland publishes its next Strategic Plan in the coming weeks.