By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council monthly meeting
Gusserane Community Action Group protested outside County Hall, Wexford, yesterday (Monday) before the Wexford County Council December meeting and were met by some elected representatives, including Cathaoirleach Joe Sullivan.
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!
“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 a record breaking prices last year, said the Group spokesperson, who added; “This 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.
And while this issue is at the planning stages it is understood that “local knowledge informs us that other landowners in the district have signed option agreements for future phases of this development.”
When the matter came before the meeting, Cllr Marty Murphy, who farms 220 acres in the area outlined much personal information and explained how his 220 acres can sustain 115 people in the community and expressed his concerns for “an industrial sized solar farm at Gusserane” which he described as “the best production land in the country.”
Cllr John Fleming suggested “the area would be turned into a glasshouse,” and Cllr Michael Sheehan talked about “green washing the area.”
Cllr Pat Barden said it was a huge development in a rural area, and a lot of people are very unhappy! “It is the best agricultural land in the country, and no one will want to build if the place is covered in glass,” added Cllr Barden.
Cllr Vicky Barron suggested a need to reconsider the locations of solar farms. Cllr Lisa McDonald expressed concerns that the plan was too large for such a small rural community, and Cllr Pip Breen highlighted issues with the road infrastructure as well as a potential food crisis.
Cllr John Dwyer suggested removing “good quality farmland out of the system”, Cllr AoifeRose O’Brien added to the debate and Cllr Jim Codd alluded to food prices and suggested that “tillage farmers are being crippled.” Cllr Ger Carthy also commented.
Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe said it was a national issue and needs to be addressed nationally.
The overall feeling from the meeting was that the Gusserane Community Action Group was entitled to support from the elected representatives.
It emerged that the Cathaoirleach could seek legal advice on behalf of the Council. Cllr Sullivan said; “We will seek the necessary advice. The Executive has a job to do… so do we.”
WexfordLocal.com 