Concerns over solar farms in Enniscorthy area
CONCERNS were expressed over the amount of planning applications for solar farms in the Enniscorthy area at a recent meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council. To date, a total of 27 solar farms in Co Wexford have been granted in Co Wexford, 16 of which are in the Enniscorthy District.
Cllr Johnny Mythen expressed concerns over these figures. ‘I understand we need clean energy,’ he said. ‘But we’re talking over 330 acres here. Is there any kind of stipulation on the amount of these solar farms? It’s a lot of acreage in Enniscorthy.’
An official from the planning department informed the members that there were no national guidelines in relation to solar farms as of yet. He said that a few of these developments had been refused planning permission, but this decision was later overturned by An Bord Plenála.
‘You’d begin to doubt whether Wexford County Council is a Planning Authority at all,’ said Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy. ‘Everything seems to be deter- mined by where the substations are and we have little or no say. When it’s refused at council level, An Bord Plenála just turn around and overturn it anyway, so what can we do?’
While Cllr Kathleen Codd Nolan agreed with her colleagues concerns, she took a more measured approach.
‘ Tillage farming is not bringing in the money that it used to,’ she said. ‘Solar farms could be a way for these farmers to bring in some money. I think this is something that needs to be looked at, but we have to be sensible about it.’
Cllr Willie Kavanagh agreed saying ‘it’s not our job to tell a farmer what to do with his land’ and suggested that maybe land used for solar farms could be dual purpose.
Cllr Paddy Kavanagh said that perhaps the roofs of farm buildings would be better used for harvesting solar energy, before lightening the mood saying:
‘I’m not sure of the idea of a dual use for the lands. You’d have to get some sunglasses on the sheep!’