Contentious plans for a major solar farm in South East Clare have been appealed by local residents citing concerns over loss of employment, property devaluation, pollution, and health risks.
However the developer contends the project will power thousands of homes in the catchment area.
In June, Castlebank Green Energy LTD was granted planning permission for a solar farm on a 36 hectare site overlapping Ardnacrusha, Castlebank and Parteen.
The company claims it will displace 7,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, while providing enough green energy to power 5,000 homes.
However, the decision now rests with the newly formed An Coimisiún Pleanála after three local residents brought an appeal.
One local living in Ardnacrusha and working as a psychologist, lecturer, supervisor, and social worker claims her livelihood would be seriously affected as her studio requires the upmost sensitivity from a noise and a visual perspective for vulnerable clients who need a safe space to process trauma.
This appellant also claimed the risk of a fire at the proposed substation adjacent to their homes hasn’t been properly assessed and that the health risks of a potential electro-magnetic field from the cumulative 6 proposed windfarms and 3 planned solar farms in the area has also not been scrutinised.
A resident of Parteen claimed there was a lack of measures put forward to mitigate light pollution for neighbours, while an appellant from Castlebank criticised a “shocking level of public consultation”.
