Tipperary community takes a unified stance in objecting to solar farm plan

The Dualla community has come out in force to voice their objection to plans to establish a solar farm in the area.

308 submissions were made by members of the public and concerned groups,  including Irish Water, to Tipperary County Council in advance of a decision date on planning permission on April 28.

Power Capital Renewable Energy (PCRE) Limited lodged plans with Tipperary County Council on March 4 for planning permission to develop a solar farm at Boscabell, Garranmore, Newark, Fussough and Dually.

The plans involve a 10-year planning permission for a development consisting of the construction of a solar PV development on a 129-hectare site.

“There is nobody for this development in the village. People could see how big this development is and how inappropriate it would be for the area and that is why they came out in such huge numbers to object to the proposal,” said Kelly Reay, a member of the Dualla Together group that organised a campaign against the proposal.

“Residents have raised their objections but so also has Irish Water. In their submission to the council, Irish Water, has raised huge concerns about the development,” said Kelly Reay.

She said the community had responded magnificently and had attended the information workshops organised by Dualla Together over the last few weeks.

“It was important for people to understand the scale of this project and what it would mean for this area. 

“They took the information on board and decided to lodge their concerns with the council,” she said. Keith Barry was among the residents who made a submission to the council. He made the point in his submission  that there was a “general feeling of concern about how their homes, the future of the village and its amenities and their quality of lives and that of their families in the future and beyond 40 years, will be affected if this development is to go ahead.

“If we are led to believe that true ‘green energy’ solutions do not involve destroying farmlands, waterways, wildlife habitats, stifle village growth, and have a detrimental effect on our families and homes then this application must be forensically reviewed by the Tipperary planning department with both my concerns and the concerns of all the other submissions at the forefront.

“The village of Dualla has contributed to Renewable Energy with the 16 wind turbines on the Kill Hill which our community has accepted. 

“These are not at full capacity and could contribute more with added battery storage solutions, causing no further impact to the existing area and its environment and could supply the additional energy adequately to the grid that this application plans.

“I have seen a small rural community come together initially out of fear, confusion and concern to become a united community that is informed, steadfast and resolute in its mission that it values and will defend its village, its schools and church, and its amenities.”