By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting and Gusserane
Gusserane Community Action Group protested outside County Hall, Wexford, before the December meeting of Wexford County Council and representatives of the group are present in the public gallery at every meeting since watching the contentious issue of solar farm applications.
The group protested a planning application and renewable energy project, describing it as “a very extensive and intrusive sized energy development”—specifically, solar farms in the district.
The group told WexfordLocal.com that the size of this development is not in any way sympathetic to the small tight knit rural community of Gusserane and neighbours in Cushinstown and Newbawn and this rural community was never designed for a high-impact industrial energy complex!
They also alleged that “prime agricultural land is being taken to solar farm – this is not allowed in many countries -and land in the same area sold for agriculture at record breaking prices last year, “The implications of this will have a devastating effect on local farmers who lease land to produce crops and vegetables and rear livestock. Farmers and the associated agri-industries will be adversely affected by the imposition of this industrial energy compound.”
There are other worries too, like the high risk of pollution and habitat damage to the environment and the Terrerath and Owenduff rivers that flow towards Bannow and the destruction of hedgerows and biodiversity corridors used by pollinators, birds, and wildlife.
Addressing the issue at the December meeting, Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe said it was a national issue and needs to be addressed nationally.
At the March meeting of Wexford County Council a motion in the names of Cllrs Michael Sheehan, John Dwyer, Marty Murphy, Bridín Murphy, John Fleming and Pat Barden was put forward, but it received an unfavourable response from the chamber and was put to the meeting by Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Sullivan as an amendment that read; “The Council calls on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to immediately issue Solar Farm National Planning Guidelines as a matter of urgency.” The motion proposed by Cllr Oliver Walsh and seconded by Cllr Anthony Donohoe was carried 14 votes to 10.
Cllr Pat Barden argued strongly against the proposed solar farm activity in Gusserane and felt it was inappropriate to “use prime agricultural land for solar farms.”
“We are on a slippery slope here,” said Cllr Barden, who believed that if the solar farms go ahead, “the family farm is dead.”
Cllr John Dwyer drew attention to “the visual intrusion” it would cause.
Cllr Frank Staples said; “We can’t dictate to farmers what to do with their land” while Cllr Pip Breen pointed out that “tillage farmers are losing money” and need financial security.
Cllrs Anthony Donohoe and Robbie Staples supported “a business decision chosen by the local farmers.”
Meanwhile, anti-solar farm posts are common around the Gusserane district and the issue has some way to go, although a public consultation event will be part of the process.
WexfordLocal.com 