Concerns over solar farms planned for Kildare
More guidelines need to be provided by Kildare County Council
Concerns have been raised over solar farm developments in Kildare.
Five councillors from south Kildare have asked for “clear national planning guidelines.”
They told a Kildare County Council meeting that these should address issues including cumulative impact, landscape, biodiversity, agricultural land, water quality, residential amenity and decommissioning.
Labour councillor Mark Leigh said: “We have to consider the impact on communities.”
He added that the developments should be placed in the “right location.”
KCC is to seek a statement from the Department of Heritage, Local Government and Housing about large scale solar farm developments.
It added that in the meantime it cannot postpone the assessment of a planning application pending any statement from the DHLGH.
KCC also said it has its own policy on solar energy and individual proposals will be considered on a case-by-case basis, having regard to policy and planning rules.