Locals challenge developer over planned Kildare solar farm project
Solar Farm meeting Levitstown Hall Photos: Aisling Hyland
“NÍ neart go chur le chéile” (there is no strength without unity) was the closing message at a packed Levitstown Hall on Tuesday night for a public meeting regarding the proposed BNRG Maganey solar farm, with locals coming together to share information and plan their objections strategy to the 114-hectare (281-acre) project.
The meeting was billed as an information meeting, but there was undoubtedly a tone of opposition and protest regarding BNRG’s plan for a large swathe of land stretching from Maganey to Kilkea.
Local opposition to the project was expressed by several speakers which was met by applause by the 130-140 locals present. The application, which is currently being considered by Kildare County Council, includes 496,308 square metres of solar panels along with 48 Battery Energy Storage System containers and 12 Medium Voltage stations.
Such was the turnout at the meeting, there was not enough room in the hall and locals listened in through hall windows.
The proposed solar farm is planned across lands in the townlands of Beaconstown, Johnstown North and South, Kilkea Upper and Crooket.
The gathering was chaired by Brendan Pittman, who is a spokesperson and secretary for the group, as well as being a local businessman.
Local residents, former Versace executive Stephen Croncota, former school principal Gerry Watchorn and solicitor Dermot Flanagan were the primary speakers at the meeting, with Mr Croncota and Mr Watchorn giving presentations outlining their long list of objections to the plan, whilst Flanagan gave advice to the gathered crowd on how to fill out their own objections and how to structure them.
Public representatives Deputy Mark Wall and cllrs Mark Leigh, Veralouise Behan, Brian Dooley and Ivan Keatley all spoke to offer their support.
Concern was expressed over the scale of the development and its potential impact on the local community.
Mr Croncota gave the first presentation, outlining his concerns around the potential problems with the proposed project, including concerns over tourism, noise, roads, privacy, food security and future expansion.
He made a significant allegation – that the county fire service has admitted that it does not provide training for instances such as lithium battery explosions at solar farms.
Mr Croncota, who converted a derelict building into Crookett House Arts Centre, recently told the national media that he fears the solar farm, which would surround three sides of his property, could jeopardise the venture.
He claimed at the meeting that BNRG’s CEO visited his home and told him that the farm will likely be sold to a vulture fund after construction.
“Good luck if you have a fire and try to reach a vulture fund in China,” he remarked.
He called for government guidelines and regulations regarding solar farms, with the American saying that “it’s the Wild West” currently.
The former fashion executive said that the solar farm would be visible from “the jewel of South Kildare tourism”, Kilkea Castle.
Mr Watchorn went into further detail on noise levels, claiming that BNRG has already stated its acceptance that an audible noise level will come into effect due to the facility.
He also outlined the potential flood risk to the area and claimed that there is no drainage strategy in BNRG’s plan.
He said that the company’s planning application does not meet the requirements set out by Kildare County Council.
He spoke of the potential threat to local heritage, noting the “five recorded monuments within the development footprint”.
Mr Watchorn argued the solar farm would damage the area’s tourism appeal.
He also said that no vulnerable road user assessment has been carried out.
The group is concerned about the impact of construction traffic on local roads, with fears that the roadway could be damaged during construction and that the narrow road network could struggle to accommodate large vehicles such as articulated lorries.
Mr Flanagan told the meeting to start from personal experience and viewpoint when writing an objection.
He also called into question the nature and adequacy of a meeting held by BNRG in Castledermot over the summer, which was an information meeting, rather than a consultation meeting.
The solicitor pointed out that a public consultation process is embedded in law, and that in his view BNRG has not met this legal requirement as of yet.
TD for Kildare South Mark Wall said that while he supports renewable energy, the Maganey/Levitstown area was not suitable for it, pointing to issues such as food security and the potential threat to what he sees as some of the best agricultural land in the country.
His message to his constituents was that “these people (BNRG) will fear you”, encouraging them to persist with their effort.
Athy Municipal District councillors voiced their support for the campaign.
Cllr Behan said that she was not aware of the BNRG Castledermot information evening when it took place and added that she would raise the matter of the proposed solar farm with Fianna Fáil colleague, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy and Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien at the party’s annual think-in in Tullamore the following day.
Cllr Dooley called on the local campaign group to carry out a governance check on BNRG.
A number of the public representatives who spoke at the meeting emphasised the importance of locals submitting objections to the project.
The deadline for submissions is 28 September and a decision is due on the application (file number 2660958) on 8 October.
Mr Pittman thanked supporters of a GoFundMe campaign to fund planning, technical and legal advice for the group’s response.
At the time of writing, the campaign has raised €4,815 towards its €7,500 target.
The Kildare Nationalist contacted Kildare County Council in response to the claim about the first service inability to tackle a fire at a solar farm. The council said: 'Kildare County Council's Fire Service will respond to all fire incidents within its operational area. Kildare Fire Service has the training, expertise and experience required to deal with a wide range of fire and emergency situations, in a safe and effective manner.'
