BREEDERS and trainers have expressed concern over plans to erect a large solar power farm at Pollardstown on the Curragh.

The proposed development has been approved by Kildare County Council but that decision has been appeared to An Bord Pleanala.

The Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association are among those to have lodged appeals, along with Guy O’Callaghan of Grangemore Stud.

Power Capital Renewable Energy is the company behind the project and they are seeking approval to construct a solar farm with a four-megawatt capacity using approximately 18,000 solar panels over a six-hectare site.

There are 85 trainers based on the Curragh and, according to the IRTA, there are 75 employees looking after 300 horses in the Pollardstown area.

In his objection, IRTA boss Michael Grassick said: “For the Curragh to remain a centre of excellence and commercially viable, all its environs including Pollardstown need to be protected from all form of disturbance and incompatible development.

“The constant noise from the solar farm will disrupt this time of rest and put in jeopardy the long-term sustainability of racing stables in the Pollardstown area,” he said. “If the solar farm goes ahead, large trucks will share the same lanes as racehorses walking to and from the gallops during the construction period. This is jeopardising the livelihood of local trainers, not to mention the health and safety of the horses and their riders,” the IRTA said.