A County Waterford community group has been granted a High Court date for the judicial review which members are seeking in relation to a controversial solar farm proposal.
An appeal was made against the decision by An Bord Pleanala to uphold Waterford City and Council’s decision to grant conditional planning permission for BNRG’s 141 hectare solar farm in the townlands of Bishopstown, Bridgetown, Ballyhest and Ballyneal.
There have been numerous public meetings in Clonea Power since plans for the solar farm were revealed, with the opposition being co-ordinated by members of the Clonea/Mothel Solar Farm Action Group who announced they would be seeking a judicial review. This is a mechanism by which an application can be made to the High Court to challenge the decision making processes of administrative bodies and lower courts.
In a statement this week, the Clonea/Mothel Solar Farm Action Group said: “Over the past two years the community has worked tirelessly since the planning application was first submitted in April 2023. Having been granted by Waterford City & County Council the community got behind this again and went on to An Bord Pleanala, planning was granted in May 2024. With your support we have progressed to a Judicial Review in the High Court in Dublin. Over those few years a group of representatives have worked tirelessly to fight this on behalf of your community. Now that we have been granted our date, these members will travel to Dublin weekly to meet with our solicitors, Junior Barrister and Senior Barrister to prepare for our Court Hearing.”
Members say they have had huge support when it comes to fundraising but need to continue this.
“We are extremely grateful to those people that have come forward to offer and help out any way they can and are always appreciative of anyone that wants to help wherever they can,” the statement says.
“If anyone has any questions or wants to know more information about our court hearing please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Members added that they will continue to “fight for the future generations to come but equally for those that have lived their lifetime in Clonea and want to live among the splendid beauty of where we call home”.
“Together we can do this, we have a short timeline ahead of us so as a community we will come together and see this out.”
