Tipperary group tells RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne they will 'fight' proposed solar farm

The Tipperary community group Dualla Together spoke on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne on Tuesday to discuss the proposed instalment of a solar panel farm adjacent to their village.  

In March of this year, Power Capital Renewable Energy Limited lodged plans with Tipperary County Council for a 10-year planning permission for a development consisting of the construction of a solar PV development on a 129-hectare site in the townlands of Boscabell, Garranmore, Newark, Fussough, and Dualla.

The community in Dualla have been very outspoken in their protests against the development of a solar farm in their village since the plans were first lodged.

The community group Dualla Together was established to push back against the development. Dualla Together appeared on RTÉ's Prime Time in August to vocalise their concerns surrounding the possible creation of solar farms in the village.

Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne on Tuesday, the group's spokesperson Keith Barry said: "The solar development for Dualla is probably one of the biggest in the country."

According to Keith, the total area the planned solar farm would cover is 319 acres and spreads across three farms with three different owners. 

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He said that the area Power Capital Renewable Energy seeks to develop "encroaches right on the village." He added: "It is coming right up to the boundary of churches, schools, housing estates and playing fields."

Keith said that the community was very concerned when they realized the extent of the plans, saying: "We didn't really understand the size or magnitude of it until we really read into it and saw that it was a significant industrial development around our village."

Keith argues that the development of the solar farms would have "a profound impact obviously to our way of life and the area."

He was adamant to express that Dualla Together are not against the development of solar farms generally or renewable energies. There are 16 wind turbines in the village, which Keith argued demonstrates the community's existing commitment to such renewable developments. 

Keith said: "I know we all have to play our part, but not on the backs of the rural communities of Ireland. There should be a proper policy put in place. What we're saying is there should be proper protocol, proper procedure, proper policy by government and there should be proper designated land belts for solar farms."

Commenting on the farms the development would impact, Keith said: "I have sympathy for the farmers, but at the end of the day it's the community. What price do you put on a community?"

A statement was read on the radio show from Power Capital Renewable Energy Limited in response to the controversy in Dualla. 

The energy company said: "As always, our efforts are focused on ensuring full regulatory compliance to promote a development that aligns with Ireland's ambitious climate goals, and more specifically, with the Tipperary County development plan 2022-2028.

"As our application is still under review we have nothing further to add to this point."

Tipperary County Council has requested more information from the company as the proposals are still under review.

According to Keith, Dualla Together "intend to fight this until the very end."