Notice of the public information event

Dear Sir/ Madam

I'm writing to you with my concerns of the proposed location of your solar farm in lackagh behind [local housing estate]. My biggest concern is the location and the impact on the local environment. I have a lot more concerns aswell. A lot of the local people know nothing of thos proposed information event or the plans you have. I think you need another meeting at a later time. You have only given local people just over a weeks notice about the info event.

Yours faithfully

[Name removed]

Hi [name removed],

Thank you for contacting us regarding the proposed Blackthorn Solar Farm.

We fully appreciate that the proposal is an important matter for the local community, and we welcome the opportunity to answer questions and provide further information at our public information event on Wednesday, 09 September, between 4pm and 8pm at Turloughmore GAA Club.

With regard to the notice provided for the event, information leaflets were hand-delivered on 31 August and 01 September to homes within 1 km of the proposed site. Approximately 400 households were targeted as part of this distribution. Local public representatives were also notified in advance of the leaflet distribution. In addition, information about the event has also been widely shared locally through social media.

The event has been arranged as a drop-in session rather than a formal presentation at a fixed time. This provides flexibility for residents to attend at a time that is convenient for them during the evening, speak directly with members of the project team, view the information available and raise any questions or concerns they may have. For those who are unable to attend, we are more than happy to engage directly by phone or email. We have already been responding to calls and emails from members of the local community and will continue to do so. We want to provide residents with a number of ways engage with the project team and have their questions and concerns addressed.

We also understand your comment that local people may be hearing about the proposals for the first time. At this stage, however, the proposals for Blackthorn Solar Farm remain at a draft stage, and no planning application has been submitted. The purpose of engaging with the community at this stage is to introduce the proposals, provide information, and gather feedback that can be considered in advance of any potential planning application.

If you are unable to attend the event, I would be more than happy to take any questions you may have to the project team for a response.

Thank you again for getting in touch.

Kind regards,

[Name removed]

Community Liaison Officer

BayWa r.e. Ireland Limited