Two solar farms are 'grossly unfair' as Longford concerns are highlighted

Local residents and a councillor have highlighted concerns about an imminent planning application for a second solar farm in the Ballymahon area with the burden on local people described as being 'too much'.

The Foigha Solar Concern Group has asked whether local people in the greater Ballymahon area are to be "we to be 'completely industrialised' by two large-scale solar farm projects and a 'massive' wind farm near Kenagh.

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BNRG, an Irish-owned leader in clean renewable energy, in partnership with Plan Energy Developments, recently announced its intention to seek planning permission for a 94-megawatt solar farm near Ballymahon.

It comes just under seven months after another company 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.

Brian Egan (50), a married father of two who lives in the centre of Kenagh and works from his business in the Tirlickeen area is relatively close to both proposed projects.

"It is too much, I think it's bringing down the countryside and rural Ireland is being taken away.”

In February 2025, a request for further information was issued in relation to the proposed Foigha Solar Farm project.
Residents have raised concerns in relation to this application in relation to visual impact fears, glare and noise, potential biodiversity loss and poor public consultation.

It was previously estimated residents in up to 100 houses may be impacted.

Mr Egan is not a member of any group and he has described himself as a 'concerned citizen'.

He said his home in Kenagh and his tyre business in Terlicken will be close to both proposed solar farms.

"I won't be able to see it from my house and I live about half a mile away, but my issue is I think there should be a law against having these solar farms on prime agricultural land."

Mr Egan attended a recent information evening on the proposed BNRG development on Wednesday, July 16, but it did little to ease his concerns.

"On the proposed two sites there, you are looking at about 600 acres.

"An average family farm in Ireland is about 80 acres so you could say there are six to seven family-sized farms gone."

Mr Egan claimed just a stone's throw away from the second proposed solar farm in Foigha is 5,000 acres of 'bog' and he believes the developments will dominate the landscape and hamper food production.

"The devaluing of people's property is a concern, some of these solar farms will be going right up to the front and back doors of houses and decreasing their houses."

A spokesperson on behalf of The Foigha Solar Concern Group said they are 'dismayed' that plans are well underway to submit planning permission for a second 250 acre solar farm at Terlicken.

“This area is being inundated with renewable energy projects with a massive windfarm project in the planning stages also.”

“We are questioning, how much is too much for this rural area of South County Longford?

“Are we to be completely industrialised with a massive wind farm on the Lanesboro side coming up to parts of Kenagh, particularly Mosstown and then onto The Foigha Solar Farm and across the road to the Terlicken Solar Farm?

“This seems grossly unfair on local residents who would see their lives completely changed.”

Independent Councillor Mark Casey said he is not against renewable energy but the proposed projects are "just two big” for the rural area.

“We are trying to promote tourism in Corlea there, and we are trying to get people to go on the canal and get people out and active again.

“And we're putting in these massive monstrosities?

BNRG have said the areas for their solar farm had been carefully selected to minimise local impact, using existing agricultural land with good access to regional roads and proximity to the national electricity grid.

A public consultation period began on July 12 to inform the local community about the project and gather feedback and there was a public information clinic in Ballymahon on Wednesday, July 16 where the company said residents had an opportunity to meet experts from the development team.

Further information is available at www.bnrgballymahon.com.

A BNRG spokesman said their project remains at an early, pre-planning stage. “No planning application has been submitted, and community feedback will help inform design changes.

“We initiated community engagement early to gain an understanding of local views and concerns. Many residents expressed positive reaction to the proposed project, while others raised valid concerns. “We appreciate both."

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A spokesperson from BayWa r.e. Ireland gave a response to concerns raised:

“Since submitting our initial application in December 2024, we have taken on board the feedback from local residents and Longford Council. Right now, we’re in the process of preparing a formal response, and at the same time, we’re putting together updated information for residents to explain what’s changed, what we’ve heard, and how we’re responding to those concerns. That will include more detail on things like visual impact, biodiversity, and how the project sits within the wider area.

We want to be open about what we’re doing and keep people informed along the way. I’d encourage anyone with questions or concerns to reach out to us directly.”