Waterford councillors fear “a steel grey skyline” if solar farm applications continue to rise
Concerns were raised about the number of applications at the September meeting of the Comeragh District Council
Comeragh councillors have raised concerns about the number of solar farm planning applications being made in the district.
At the September meeting of the Comeragh District Council, Councillor Declan Clune said the feeling on the ground is that the community’s views are not given enough consideration.
“The question I want to ask is when is enough enough.
“We have some of the most scenic areas in the county, and we are going to have a steel grey skyline if this is allowed to continue,” said Cllr Clune.
Cllr Catherine Burke supported Cllr Clune but said she was also concerned about data centres and offshore wind projects.
Her concern was that rural Waterford had a disproportionate number of applications and she asked how many were currently live in the council system.
She said housing is often refused on various regulations but “as the community sees it the same rules do not apply to these solar farms, data centres and other renewable projects”.
John O’Leary said he foresaw a food shortage if the land is turned over to renewable energy projects.
“What we need to do is safeguard all our futures in relation to food shortage and then again in country areas its expensive to build houses and all of a sudden are finding themselves surrounded by this technology,” said Cllr O’Leary.
Cathaoirleach Seánie Power said he thought that in years to come, whether it be the dismantling of solar farm infrastructure or something else, the council would end up dealing with “massive issues.” He asked if the council could provide the number of acres on which planning permission was sought for such developments.
Cllr Liam Brazil said he thought it was the fault of the government “big time” as there are no guidelines for local authorities in place.
Senior planner at Waterford City and County Council, Aisling O’Sullivan, said that was an important point.
“Absolutely, we would be seeking that the government, as soon as possible, would put in guidance for solar farms given the amount of applications that are coming in presently and what will come in the future,” said Ms O’Sullivan.
But, that the council have to balance the views of the community with their obligations under the Climate Action Plan.
And objections have to have a material impact on the council’s decision.
She said that each application is assessed on its own merits and anyone who is unhappy with the council’s decision can appeal it to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
“To be clear, every single submission that comes in here from a member of the public is assessed and taken into consideration,” said Ms O’Sullivan.
Ms O’Sullivan told the elected members that there was probably a disproportionate number of solar farm applications in the Comeragh District, the same was true of wind farms in the Dungarvan district.
And that while there were no government guidelines yet, the upcoming Social and Economic Strategy by the Southern Assembly will provide targets per local authority.
However, Cllr Clune pointed out that while there is an appeal process, it costs €220, which is too much for a lot of people to afford.
“There is a process there but it's not straightforward.
“When you see elderly people and they are upset and they just don’t have faith in the process,” said Cllr Clune.
