Laois locals have said they feel 'ignored' in their attempts to object a 620 acre solar panel farm that is seeking planning permission near Emo.

A whopping 86 objections to the Emo solar panel farm have been lodged by locals with Laois County Council, for what may potentially be the biggest solar farm in Ireland.

The development will consist of a 10-year permission and 40-year operational life for a solar farm on 5 land parcels located at Townlands of Morett, Killone, Cappakeel, Rossmore and Raheennahown North in Laois.

It will feature 1,796,838sq. metres of solar photovoltaic panels on ground mounted steel frames, underground power and communication cables and ducts, and 22,753 metres of fencing surrounding the area.

Pictured: landscape plans for the development of the 620 acre solar farm in Laois

The Emo Solar Action Group has been established by affected locals, who have said that they feel 'ignored' in their fight against Danish renewable energy company Ørsted's solar project.

"When we first got the news of the solar farm, it was a total shock," said Emo Solar Action Group member Tom Milner told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"All we can do is put in our objections and see what decision the Council makes, if it has to go forward beyond that, we will," Mr Milner said.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has also objected to this development, citing that it would be a danger to traffic.

"The proposed development, because of its location where particular vigilance is required, would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard due to its scale and distraction of drivers," their objection read.

Pictured: File photo of a solar power plant

Mr Milner claims that locals have been 'kept in the dark' on the scale of the solar farm.

"We are very focused on Cappakeel town, we found out about this solar farm accidentally, which is a big issue we have. The way the company have behaved towards us has been very poor, so we formed the action group last summer to be ready for it," he said.

"The scale of it is unbelievable, I believe it will be one of the biggest in Ireland. It was the absolute audacity of them with the size of it, its 5km end to end, its unreal the way its being done," he said.

"We are a fairly open site here looking out onto a field, we would be fenced in by 2 metre high fences, it changes the whole area.

"The biggest issue here in Cappakeel is that we all have our own wells, and the impact of the solar farm on them has not been assessed. We are all young families and elderly people, we want to stop this from happening to protect our younger generations."

Mr Milner claims that Ørsted have avoided emails and questions from locals in relation to the solar farm.

"They sent out two leaflets into our postboxes, one in August to say that they had put in for planning permission, and one in December to say that a decision will be made before the end of the year," Mr Milner claimed. 

"This has been hanging over us for six months. A phone number on the leaflet that we were told to contact with questions said that we needed to put it all into an email. All of our emails with valid questions have been unanswered. They never knocked on one door locally."

Emo Solar Action Group have claimed that the developers explained that they would only deal with locals on an individual basis.

"They still never gave us answers then either. It has been so disappointing," Mr Milner said.

Pictured: a poster circulated by Emo Solar Action Group

Due to a number of heritage monuments and sites within the proposed area, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have recommended that that an Archaeological Impact Assessment should be prepared to assess any impact on archaeological remains.

"It has been disappointing that the National Parks and Wildlife Service have not commented on the development when we reached out, as we have yellowhammer birds in the locality. They are in the red list of endangered species.

"We also feel that the development's proximity to Emo Court has been downplayed, as the flyers we were given say that the nearest village is Ballybrittas," Mr Milner argued.

"The proximity to Emo Court and it's lake is not considered, they are heritage areas. The lake is fed by a stream near Morett castle."

The proximity of this proposed solar farm to the Dunrally stream may also have potential adverse affects on otters and salmon in the river, according to a Natura Impact Statement included in the planning documents.

Pictured: Natura Impact Statement: summary of the potential occurrence of qualifying interests in watercourses connected to the proposed project site and the River Barrow and River Nore SAC

The Emo Solar Action Group have said their aim is to stop the installation of this solar farm, and to educate others on the lack of regulation surrounding solar farms in Ireland.

"There are only going to be more, we want people to know that there isn't one shred of regulation from the Government or Laois County Council for these projects," Mr Milner said.

"The Council have a map with wind development areas for windfarms, and nothing for solar farms. Carlow County Council does. We need protection from the Council and the Government, we have had nothing from either.

"How will these solar farms be decommissioned, operated and regulated?" Mr Milner asked.

"It's one thing installing them, but there are deserts in Spain where people moved away, with panels left behind. What are we going to be left with?" he asked.

"There are over 65 homes affected, it is one thing having the solar farm in a block of land far away from people, but the scale and impact of this on us is unreal. To the Government and the Council it doesn't matter, they can just put it wherever they want. It's not fair," Mr Milner finished.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live contacted Ørsted for comments on the claims made by the Emo Solar Action Group.

Pictured: File photo of solar farm

An Ørsted spokesperson replied: “Our community team have dropped information leaflets to homes and businesses on two occasions and intend to do so again once we have a further update for the community. We are available by phone or email for anyone who is keen for further information.

"We’ve spoken with many interested community members and will continue to do so. We do endeavour to answer every question and if anyone feels we have not done so to date please be in touch.

"The input whether informal or via formal written planning submissions is critical to informing our project design. Cappakeel Solar Farm has potential to make a significant contribution to Ireland’s indigenous energy generation, energy security and stability of cost. The project will have an annual community benefit fund of up to €250,000.”

A decision on the planning application is to be made by Laois County Council by Sunday May 18.

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