Laois farmland getting 'destroyed' by solar farms claims councillor

A Laois councillor claims that farming land is being destroyed by solar farms.

Former Fine Gael Cllr Aisling Moran has spoken out against the increase of the eco renewable energy generating farms on agricultural land.

"I don't agree with farms being used. Some of the best land is being destroyed by solar farms. They should be instead on agricultural buildings, community buildings and residential buildings," she said.

She spoke at the April meeting of Laois County Council.

Director of Services Angela McEvoy said there are no guidelines for solar farms for planners to follow.

"It is our policy to support solar, but in the appropriate location, subject to proper planning and the environment. They have to go through the normal planning processes. There are no solar energy guidelines similar to wind guidelines, which are obviously out of date. That is something we do need to guide our way to renewables," she said.

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A planning application is currently being considered by Laois County Council to approve a vast solar farm on 249 hectares in Cllr Moran's electoral area of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District, in Morett, Cappakeel, Killone, Raheennahown and Rossmore. Read that story here.

Cllr Moran is among many people who have objected to that plan, which proposes 1,796,838sq. metres of solar panels, built by Danish company Ørsted Onshore Ireland Midco Limited, lasting for 40 years.