Ban solar farms from Kildare 'because the land is the best in the world'

Kildare’s prime agricultural land should not have solar panels built on it.

That’s according to independent councillor Tom McDonnell who said there is a “critical need to protect farmland for food production, food security and the equine industry.”

At a Kildare County Council meeting, he asked for “a clear policy position on opposing large or small ground mounted solar panels on farmland.”

He said KCC officials should bear this in mind when dealing with planning applications.

Cllr McDonnell said the land in Kildare is better than 75% of the rest of the land in Ireland and is  “sought after around the world and is the best in the world.”

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He said he had no issue with solar panels being set up on homes or industrial premises.

But Cllr Chris Pender said that a blanket ban does not make sense.

He added: “I get that there is land we should be protecting but some land could accommodate both farming and solar panels”

KCC official Alan Dunney said the county development plan “does not in principle exclude large or small ground mounted solar panels on farmland.”

He said applications for solar energy projects “are considered on their own merits having regard to the development plan policy, as well as ministerial guidelines, environmental assessments and submissions from the public and prescribed bodies.”