Longford Residents 'delighted' to see Council consider their Solar Panel woes

The Foigha Solar Farm Concern Group said they are encouraged by Longford County Council’s request to BayWa r.e. for further information in relation to a proposed solar farm.

Foigha Solar Farm Limited, a subsidiary of BayWa r.e. Ireland submitted a planning application to develop a solar farm on a 130-hectare site in the townlands of Cornacarta, Doonacurry, Foygh, Kilcommock Glebe, Ledwithstown and Tirlickeen, Kenagh and Ballymahon on December 20, 2024.

Residents have raised concerns in recent months over visual impact fears, glare and noise, potential biodiversity loss and claimed there was poor public consultation.

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The group includes dozens of local people including Lorraine Rowan, Damien Mulvihill, Denise Moran, Maresa Rowan, Kieran Ledwith, John Rowan, Damien McHugh, Alan Rowan, Paul Harte and Patrick Murtagh.

They have stated "over 300 acres of agricultural land is being sacrificed to solar panels" which is in 'very close proximity' to residential homes.

The group said they are 'delighted' to see Longford County Council read and carefully considered the submissions which they received from nearly 100 local residents and organisations in addition to a group submission document which was signed by over 350 people.

"We agree wholeheartedly with Longford County Council’s assertion that BayWa r.e. application did not contain enough information to enable them to make a decision regarding planning permission for the solar farm," a spokesperson said. "This was an application scant on detail on everything from their ecological study to their construction plans. "

The Foigha Solar Farm Concern Group claimed this was an application "that did not take local residents into consideration" at all.

A spokesperson said, "As a group, we will follow developments with regard to submitted further information very closely.

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"A key action for our group in the coming days and weeks will be to lobby our public representatives in relation to the introduction of regulation of these large scale renewable energy infrastructure projects."

The group stated the industry is completely unregulated and if the Government is serious about the development of renewable energy projects such as solar farms, then they need to ensure that there is regulation in relation to land use policy and issues such as proximity to residential homes.

The Foigha Solar Farm Concern Group said their key concerns regarding the proposed solar farm continue to be the ecological 'loss to their area' and they have stated their submissions detail the 'threat' to animals, birds and hedgerows.

The group stated secondly the sheer size of the proposed development on primarily agricultural lands and the glare that is cast from this development will affect local residents and tourism.

"Consideration needs to be given to the fact that the Royal Canal is being heavily promoted as a tourist destination," the spokesperson added.

They also highlighted the "poor state and size of the roads" that will be primarily used during the construction phase and the approximately 1,124 heavy goods vehicles according to the company CEMP report that will be using these 'narrow roads'.

Alison Murphy, a Community Liaison Officer with BayWa r.e. Ireland Ltd, said they welcome the opportunity to provide further information on the Foigha Solar Farm project.

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"We fully respect and acknowledge the engagement from the local community to date and are committed to addressing the various points raised in a clear and transparent manner.

"It’s our aim to ensure that all aspects of the project are given the detailed attention they require to develop a project that is both sustainable and considerate of the community and the surrounding environment."