Ratoath residents throw shade on 82-hectare solar farm proposal

Dubliners star John Sheahan among vocal locals who say scale of project is too much to impose on the community

The musician, John Sheahan of the Dubliners and former FAI president, Brendan Menton, are among a group of residents objecting to the development of a large solar farm near Ratoath.

Peacockstown Residents Association made a submission to Meath County Council objecting to the proposed 82.5 hectare solar farm.

Energia Solar Holdings had applied for the development on lands at Mullinam, Paddock and Loughlinstown, Ratoath.

The initial application was declared invalid, but new site notices were erected on 2nd February and a new application is to be submittted.

The application is for a Solar PV Energy Development with solar panels mounted on steel support structures, associated cabling and ducting, 21 MV power stations, seven battery storage containers, a temporary construction compound, access tracks, hard standing area, security fencing and gates and CCTV.

The submission from the Peacockstown Residents Association says the proposed large solar farm would result in a high concentration solar development in the community as another major 85.3 hectare solar farm has already been approved on the adjoining lands at Fidorfe, Grange and part of Ratoath Manor.

There are also four other PV solar developments all within a maximum of 4km of this site which have already been approved, giving a total area of 359.77 hectares of solar farms.

"A development on this scale will have a very negative impact on this established residential area resulting in depreciation of property values.

"In principle we would generally support green energy projects. However, this is fundamentally the wrong location for such a project because it represents an over-concentration of PV solar development in one local community."

The submission points out it is important that prime agricultural lands like those in question are retained for agriculture/food production to feed the growing population.

"There are numerous remote sites around the country which are sparsely populated and often consisting of poor quality farmlands or reclaimed peat lands which would be more suitable for locating PV solar developments, thereby retaining prime agricultural lands for the purpose which it is intended of food production."

The residents association says the proposal will have a detrimental and negative impact on the existing wildlife and the continued migration of species and genetic diversity in this area and that the existing natural habitats for a variety of wildlife species over this extensive area of lands will be disturbed.

They point out the proposed development will be very visible from the existing houses in Peacockstown Estate and in some places will extend right up to the eastern boundary of the estate.

The association notes that cameras will be mounted on 3.50 metre high galvanised steel poles raising concerns about neighbouring residents’ privacy

"Serious concerns are raised regarding potential hazard and nuisance effects of glint and glare in relation to ground based receptors. PV panels have a flat polished surface which omits specular reflectance which can cause hazard and nuisance effects and the extent of this can vary under relative angles between the sun, the panels and the receptors throughout the year.

“Given the extent of this proposed PV solar development 82.50 hectares, the glint and glare from these solar panels will result in a very significant impact on this area and in particular to the residents residing in the vicinity of this proposed development."

The submission also notes the possibility the development could seriously affect the free-flow and discharge of surface water, resulting in potential flood risk to the houses in Peacockstown Estate.

Cllr Nick Killian said quite a number of people contacted him who were angry at people objecting to the development and calling them NIMBYs.

"This is unfair to those who have a concern about this development and my right to make representations on their behalf," he said.