Longford residents to battle against controversial solar plan

A large number of residents in over 100 houses affected by the development of a highly controversial solar farm and energy storage compound in south Longford plan to appeal a decision to grant planning permission for the development.

Foigha Solar Farm Ltd, a subsidiary of BayWa r.e. Ireland lodged a planning application last December to develop a solar farm on a 130-hectare site in the townlands of Cornacarta, Doonacurry, Foygh, Kilcommock Glebe, Ledwithstown and Tirlickeen.

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Longford County Council made the decision to grant planning permission last month for the large solar farm and energy storage compound which surprised and 'devastated' local residents.

A spokeswoman for Foigha Solar Farm Concern Group said, "We are going to appeal and we are coming together as a community to gather the funds.

"We don't think it's a fair decision, there are over 100 houses affected and people feel very strongly that it's the wrong project in the wrong place and we don't feel our concerns were listened to."

The Foigha Solar Farm Concern Group describe themselves as a community of local residents committed to protecting their rural environment, biodiversity, tourism, and peaceful daily life.

It is understood the group of residents are preparing the appeal now and they have hired some people to help them and they are currently looking at all the planning conditions.

The Foigha Solar Farm Concern Group committee also recently launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for the appeal and on Monday afternoon they had gathered over €3,300 of an €8,000 target.

A message on the page states they are "raising funds to bring our battle against this proposed solar farm to An Coimisiún Pleanála" and they also said "this is a costly exercise we are asking our supporters to help us fundraise".

The short-term costs are expected to be covered by the several thousand euro, however, it is understood if the planning appeal goes to a judicial review it will cost between €10,000 and €20,000.

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The Foigha Solar Concern Group spokeswoman said there is great uncertainty, concern and unease 'wondering what is going to happen, or when it is going to happen'.

The company said the project is a 40 year development and the farm will then be decommissioned.