Cloud hangs over solar farm plan

A GROUP of Newmills residents has vowed to fight plans for a 140 acre solar farm on the outskirts of Coleraine.
If approved, the green energy scheme will cover an area of farmland the equivalent to 100 football pitches.
It is currently the subject of a pre-application community consultation conducted on behalf of Dunluce Developments.
The firm says it will provide enough clean energy to power 8,000 homes.
However, the proposal on a greenfield site bordered by Coleraine Ring Road, Ballyrashane Road and Newmills Road has already attracted opposition.
While Eamon Diamond says he supports clean energy, he and three neighbouring families whose garden back on to the site have launched a campaign aimed at halting the development.
“Our houses will be completely surrounded if this goes ahead,” he told The Chronicle.
“All you will see will be panels out the back and along the side of my house where once there were green fields.
“Not only will it be unsightly, but we fear our properties will be devalued. Who would want to buy a house in the middle of a solar farm?”
Mr Diamond said he and his neighbours were also concerned about wildlife – including a family of buzzards living nearby.
“This development requires such a lot of space, what will happen to all the animals that are displaced?” he asked.
Solar projects on the scale of the Ballyrashane project are becoming increasingly common across the whole of the UK.
Supporters says they are quick to install, provide clean, quiet renewable energy and do not produce any pollution or emissions.
Dunluce Developments says its locally based directors are committed to delivering benefits to the local communities in which it operates.
In a statement they said they were actively seeking the views of Coleraine residents and held a well-attended public consultation on Thursday, February 16 where experts were on hand to explain the project, to answer questions and to allay any concerns.
“We have also created a project specific website, www.ballyrashanesolarfarm.com, and would like to encourage anyone who is interested in the proposal to visit the website to find out more and to comment,” said a company spokesperson.
“All feedback received will be taken into account in the design of the solar farm before a planning application is submitted.
“Dunluce Developments is adopting a best-practice approach to community engagement, sustainability and enhancing biodiversity.
“A series of ecological and biodiversity assessments are underway, with enhancement measures planned to protect and improve the local environment.
“To minimise visual impact, all the hedgerows will be retained and improved where necessary. The fields can still be used for agricultural purposes, with the grass under and around the panels being grazed by sheep.”
Despite the reassurance from the firm, Coleraine Councillor Russell Watton says he's backing the objectors.
“I have been speaking to local residents and I agree it’s far too big,” he said.
“I'm in favour of green energy but in this case it’s in the wrong place. This is right on the edge of Coleraine. There are people living right next to it and it’s not something anyone would want to be looking out their living room.”