Locals adopt a ‘nimby' approach to Enniskeane solar farm

THERE’S a place for solar farms, and it’s not in our back yard. 

That was the stark message from concerned Enniskeane residents who are opposed to Power Capital Renewable Energy Ltd’s plans for a 5mwp solar PV farm at Teddies Upper.

An earlier planning application was deemed invalid by Cork County Council, but the meeting heard that the company had resubmitted it earlier this month. 

The closing date for submissions from the public is October 25th.

The second public meeting organised by concerned residents living next to the proposed solar farm took place in the local BEDA Hall on Tuesday night.

A seven-member committee, comprising residents living close to the planned solar farm, which would contain 16,000 photovoltaic panels, said it would literally be ‘on top of’ them.

Donal Shorten said that they had invited the company to attend the meeting, but they declined, saying they would answer any questions by phone.

‘We are all supportive of solar farms, but there is a place for them and it’s not in our back yard,’ said Donal, echoing the ‘nimby’ approach to planning (‘not in my back yard’).

‘We also have concerns about the heavy traffic that would go down the laneway by our houses as well as issues over the glare of these solar panels.’

Cllr Paul Hayes (SF) told residents that there were no national guidelines in place for such developments and that planners in Cork County Council will assess applications on a case-by-case basis.

Several speakers also questioned how the company proposed to transfer the power from the solar panels. Another meeting will take place in BEDA Hall on Monday October 2nd at 8pm.

Meanwhile, Amarenco Solar Ireland Ltd have lodged a planning application with Cork County Council for a 10mw solar farm, comprising 44,400 photovoltaic panels, within a site area of 25.8 hectares at Carrigaline East, Church Road, Carrigaline.