Developer of Foigha Solar Farm disputes some Longford resident concerns

The project developer of a proposed solar farm project 5km west of Ballymahon has disputed several claims made by members of the Foigha Solar Farm Concern Group who recently addressed a Joint Oireachtas Committee.

Three members of the group Denise Moran, Kieran Ledwith and Damien Mulvihill addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage two weeks ago and they called on the Government to urgently introduce national planning guidelines for large-scale solar farms.

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Denise Moran, who lives in her home with her partner, said last week the proposed Foigha solar farm is just eight metres from her back door and on all those solar farms, '[they] put up a big, massive fence'.

"And that big, massive fence with CCTV on it, has lights on it, there's a whole lot of security fences.

"It's huge, it's like a prison fence and I don't know how close that is to the eight metres distance."

However, Alison Murphy, Community Liaison Officer with BayWa r.e. Ireland said they are disputed this.

"The project uses 2.2 metre high perimeter fencing with 100mm mammal gaps sympathetic to the agricultural character of the site and she stated no “prison-style” fencing is planned.

"CCTV is limited to equipment only and does not monitor roads, third-party land or neighbouring homes.

"The location of the CCTV will be agreed with Longford County Council before construction. "

A total of 114 householders are directly affected by the proposed project and the Foigha Solar Farm Concern roup said they fully support renewable energy, but not at the cost of Ireland’s agricultural output, tourism industry and rural identity.

Foigha Solar Farm Ltd, a subsidiary of BayWa r.e. Ireland, lodged a planning application in December 2024 to develop a solar farm - with panels with a typical height of 2.44 metres - on a 321 acres site in the townlands of Cornacarta, Doonacurry, Foygh, Kilcommock Glebe, Ledwithstown and Tirlickeen.

Longford County Council made the decision to grant planning permission to Foigha Solar Farm Ltd in September for the large solar farm and energy storage compound, which 'devastated' local residents.

The Foigha Solar Farm Concern group, who had submitted an objection claimed the construction process would pose serious health and safety risks for residents and tourists and they are appealing the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

The Foigha Solar Farm Concern Group told Oireachtas members that 'renewables must be planned and not imposed and climate action cannot come with permanent damage to Ireland’s ability to produce food, sustain rural jobs, or protect communities'.

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However, Ms Murphy of BayWa r.e. Ireland said agricultural activity, such as grazing, can continue on the site and she claimed it 'will improve soil quality' over the duration of the lease.

"Solar developments offer an opportunity for agricultural diversification, which is accepted nationally.

"Achieving Ireland’s solar energy targets by 2030 requires the use of 0.2% of Ireland’s agricultural land. "

Ms Murphy said the exact location and layout of all solar panels, including their distance from residential receptors, are clearly available within the planning application documents and in a submitted receptor map.

"The closest being 27-metres from a property.

"Foigha Solar farm has been designed in accordance with best industry standards and has followed Ireland’s robust planning framework.

"The project is wholly compatible with the policies of the Longford County Development Plan."