Wexford councillors to seek legal advice over proposed 300-acre solar farm in county – ‘These are a blight on rural Ireland’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The Christmas period appeared to have taken its toll on some of Wexford’s county councillors and officials as they convened for their first meeting of 2026. Having vowed to explore ways to prevent a 300-acre solar farm being developed in Gusserane during their December meeting, they seemed to have temporarily forgotten how they intended to do that just a few weeks later.

In December it had been agreed that Cathaoirleach Joe Sullivan would seek legal advice on behalf of the 34 councillors with regards to solar farms and whether the elected members had any powers to curtail the increasing number of developments going ahead in the county.

However, a query from Councillor Marty Murphy regarding the status of that legal advice did not provide the answer he was looking for.

“When seeking legal advice you have to have a very clear idea of what you’re asking,” replied chief executive Eddie Taaffe. “We can get that legal advice, we’re framing it at the moment so that we have a very clear ask. Once the wording is finalised it will go to our legal advisors.”

Unsure what to do with this information, Cllr Murphy reminded the chief executive of what had been agreed upon during the December meeting.

“It had previously been requested by Cllr Ger Carthy that a material contravention be applied to solar farms, he had asked that we request legal advice on that matter,” said the New Ross councillor.

A material contravention occurs when a planning application is made to a planning authority (Wexford County Council) which, in a material way, would breach the objectives of the development plan. In instances such as this, the decision to grant or refuse planning permission lies with the elected members.

“We can do that,” answered Mr Taaffe, “but a material contravention has to be recommended by the planning authority for the members to adapt or reject. Without a recommendation from the chief executive the members can’t initiate a material contravention.”

Sensing that the officials and the councillors weren’t entirely on the same page with regards to the development in Gusserane, Cllr Carthy asked that a united front be created in the face of “this blight” on rural Ireland.

“It would be welcome if the chief executive supported the wishes of the elected members, these farms are a blight on rural Ireland, I’d suggest we all work together on this.”

With memories of the December meeting finally starting to re-emerge, Cllr Michael Sheehan said councillors had specifically requested their own advice independently of Mr Taaffe and the officials.

“The reason we wanted legal advice is because there are no national policy guidelines on solar farms and the sense is we’re getting a higher proportion of applications (than other counties),” he said. ”We want legal advice so that we can ensure we do our fair share but not more than our fair share.”

He was supported by Cllr Lisa McDonald who believed that Wexford was being punished for its favourable climate.

“The south-east of this county is on record, nationally, as being the sunniest part of the island, so clearly it’s going to be open to abuse,” she said. “There is no law or protection for high-quality agricultural land, if we continue without something in place we are putting our communities at risk.”

And then, finally, the promises of December were brought to bear.

“I thought the chair was to request legal advice on behalf of the members, not that the executive get its own advice,” said Cllr McDonald.

“That was my request,” confirmed Cllr Carthy.

"I will get this advice and I will circulate it,” said the cathaoirleach.

Reminding the councillors of what was at stake, Cllr John Fleming said the future of some of Ireland’s most fertile lands would be decided by the actions of this council.

“We need to find out if there’s a quota system in place, acreage per county. In time these farms are going to become more efficient and what takes 300 acres today will only require 10 acres in the future, we could be left with abandoned farms and broken solar panels with the companies having disappeared.”