'˜Tackle solar farms policy' says McKay

Speaking after meeting residents from both Kells and Rasharkin this week he said: “The application for a 250 acre solar farm site outside Kells is something that I continue to object to. Not only in terms of the application itself but due to the fact that applications are being made for solar farms in the absence of an appropriate planning policy statement. I have met with residents here whose homes will be surrounded by the farm. I do not believe this represents good planning and work remains to be done.

“The new Infrastructure Minister must get to grips with solar farm policy and this application before they make any further decisions.”

Local Sinn Féin representative Leanne Peacock added: “In Rasharkin there are a lot of applications for connections to the new substation from renewable energy projects. I welcome moves that have been made to underground cables from these projects coming into the Rasharkin area. There were a lot of concerns that there would be an over-proliferation of overhead cables. The undergrounding of these cables is setting a very important precedent that connections to the new substation here should not create any further adverse impacts on the landscape.”