Meeting Planned Amid Concerns About Proposed Maganey Solar Farm

The meeting is taking place tonight (7 September) at 8pm in Levitstown Hall.

A meeting is taking place tonight (7 September) regarding concerns about a proposed solar farm in Maganey.

The meeting is taking place at 8pm in Levitstown Hall.

Residents have raised concerns about the scale of the development and its potential impact on the local community.

It has been organised by the Maganey Solar Concern Group, with approximately 100 members so far.

BNRG are an Irish-owned renewable energy company seeking planning permission for the proposed 114-hectare solar farm, planned across lands in the townlands of Beaconstown, Johnstown North and South, Kilkea Upper and Crooket.

It is planned to have 105MW of solar generation on the site, as BNRG says it could power the equivalent of 14,000 homes and save an estimated 21,300 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

In June, residents were initially made aware of the development when planning permission was first sought, and notified of an information evening regarding the proposed solar farm.

Speaking on Kildare Today,  secretary of the Maganey Solar Concern Group Brendan Pittman said that even though an effort was made by BNRG to consult with local people, it wasn't enough:

"BNRG did make an effort, they had a website and had the [information] event in Castledermot, but that one event is not enough for a development of this size, people who went to that certainly felt like they left with more questions than answers.

"There is an email address that you can email [to ask questions], but it's been a very low profile event, that's why our message is that the clock is ticking, we've a very short amount of time to tell KCC how we feel about BNRG's proposals."

Mr Pittman insisted he isn't "anti-solar", rather that he would've liked for the process to be "done right":

"Half my neighbours and me included have solar panels on our roofs, and we're not anti-solar, and we've no interest of standing in the way of progress here.

"But if you're gonna put in an industrial solar complex right beside our homes, then please can we make sure that it's done right."

In response to Kfm news, BNRG issued the below statement:

"BNRG is a proud Irish renewable energy company, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in developing solar farms in partnership with local communities.

"We are committed to open and constructive engagement, and we are very grateful to the local community for the constructive feedback and input received as part of our public consultation on the proposed BNRG Maganey solar development. We listened carefully to that feedback and made a number of changes to the proposed development as a result. These changes are reflected in the design submitted for planning, alongside measures informed by detailed surveys and assessments.

"The planning application is currently under consideration by Kildare County Council and BNRG fully respects the independent planning process. We will continue to engage appropriately with the local community throughout that process."

The full interview can be heard below: