Councillors warn of farmland loss amid solar and wind farm boom

Renewable energy companies came under fire at the March meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, for focusing solely on wind and solar power while neglecting alternative sustainable options that do not require the use of valuable agricultural land.

Cllr Denis Leonard led the charge, raising concerns about the limited scope of Ireland’s renewable energy strategy. He tabled a motion calling on the district to obtain full information on sustainable energy projects being proposed for this municipal area.

“I’m not anti-sustainable energy: in fact, I’m very for it, but what I’ve always advocated is there are 10 different forms out there, everything from hydro to anaerobic digestion to biogas, biomass – you can go on and on. But somehow in this country, we’re stuck with solar and wind, and it just seems they’re the only show in town,” he stated.

Cllr Leonard also highlighted the growing number of solar farms in the area, including a new proposal in Killucan and an “absolutely massive” project near Milltownpass. He criticised the planning process, claiming that national infrastructure projects bypass local considerations, leaving little room for council input.

“It seems like because they are through An Bord Pleanála, because they are national infrastructure projects, the planning seems to go out the window a lot of the time. They can do anything they want in an area: it could be four, five, six hundred acres,” he lamented.

Loss of fertile farmland

A key concern raised was the loss of fertile farmland. “We are going to rue this in years to come when there are so many other alternatives,” Cllr Leonard warned, asking where is the PSO (public service obligation) levies for hydro, biomass, biogas and anaerobic digestion projects.

In its response to Cllr Leonard’s motion, the executive stated that all sustainable energy projects undergo the normal planning process. Information on the scale and impact of these projects is available through the Westmeath County Council’s planning section and monthly management reports.

Ballymore

Cllr Andrew Duncan backed Cllr Leonard’s motion, citing a High Court ruling on a wind farm application for Ballymore, which suggested that climate policy was overriding planning regulations.

“The wind industry was a developer-led process: they were in the Oireachtas lobbying for years, but unfortunately for those communities where they are, the impact is quite significant. The industry is disingenuous in trying to combat any suggestions that there are problems, from noise, property devaluation to industrialisation of the landscape,” he argued.

Cllr Duncan also voiced concerns about Ireland’s soaring electricity prices, linking them to increased renewable energy penetration. “Ireland has gone from having the lowest priced electricity in Europe to now having the highest. That’s directly in line with our wind penetration, with our renewable energy penetration and with the deals that the Greens did to fine ourselves for not meeting targets that we couldn’t possibly meet,” he said.

Delvin and Raharney

Cllr David Jones also supported the motion, stating that in areas like Delvin and Raharney, locals would have preferred solar farms over towering 200-metre wind turbines.

He criticised the lack of national guidelines and warned that areas where one wind farm is approved become targets for further development.

“Offshore turbines are the way forward,” he asserted, advocating for a shift in policy.

Cllr Aoife Davitt pointed out inconsistencies in planning regulations, noting that homeowners face height restrictions on extensions while tall wind turbines are granted approval with relative ease.

“We are trying to do our best by putting restrictions in our county development plan, in our local area plan, but we’re just going to be sidetracked,” she said, criticising developers for bypassing local objections.

Cllr Emily Wallace recalled a failed attempt in 2008 to install 11 turbines affecting 252 homes in Gaybrook.

Now, wind farms in Rochfortbridge and Offaly are visible from Gaybrook, and residents report interference with TV and phone signals.

She echoed concerns over the financial burden on consumers. “Consumers are subsidising these renewable energy companies despite being unhappy about having wind farms and solar farms in their communities,” she said.

She also spoke of the expense that communities bear if they opt to fight against a development in their area.

Ideal position

Cllr Niall Gaffney asked about the ideal position for Westmeath as a county to adopt on sustainable projects and sustainable energy. “Because,” he said, “I think that has to be the starting point.”

Pointing out that Westmeath is part of the East and Midlands regional assembly, Cllr Gaffney said each region is being required to hit a certain goal in terms of renewable energy production.

He suggested a strategic approach, based on what Westmeath will be required to contribute to the national targets and said if the council could obtain that information, it would be able to fully plan and engage with it.

Cllr Alfie Devine acknowledged a place for both solar and wind farms – but not on prime farmland or high-amenity areas. He said he looked at the plans for the farm that is to stretch from Multyfarnham to Finea and Coole: “They’re going to be 1.2km to 1.4km from the nearest house, and that’s fine – but if anybody knows Coole, when you are driving down and looking across the bog, you can see Longford; you can see right down into County Offaly; you can see for 30, 40 miles, you can see up to the far side of Longford.”

He said the turbines have a massive impact on rural development; that there should be full public consultation, and councillors needed to be fully informed before approving any plan.

Slap on the hand

The mayor, Cllr Ken Glynn, stressed that opposition to large-scale wind farms is long-standing among council members, regardless of political affiliation.

He reiterated that offshore wind projects were the only suitable option for large-scale renewable energy development.

“As Westmeath heads towards its next County Development Plan in 2027, I’m sure we will get a slap on the hand again, but that won’t change my view, and I know it won’t change any of the members’ views,” he declared.

Conclusion

Director of services Deirdre Reilly reaffirmed the position of the planning section, assuring councillors that the executive would assist where possible.

Cllr Leonard closed the discussion by reflecting on his personal struggle as an environmental advocate who now finds himself opposing renewable projects in unsuitable locations.

“It has to be the right development in the right location,” he insisted, reiterating that as an agricultural county, Westmeath would be better suited for anaerobic digestion, biogas, biomass, or hydropower instead of the over-reliance on wind and solar power.