Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 811: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Question No. 51 of 4 November 2004, when the finalisation of the draft guidelines for planning authorities on wind energy development will be published; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this delay is causing considerable uncertainty in the planning system, particularly in drafting county development plans; the guidelines for local authorities on other topics which are in course of preparation; and the progress made in finalising any other draft guidelines for planning authorities. [22630/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 834: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his previously announced revised planning guidelines have been put into effect by the planning departments in the various local authorities; if he has sought information to this effect or given advice to the local authorities concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22780/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 811 and 834 together.

The following table sets out current guidelines to planning authorities, to which, under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála must have regard in the performance of their functions. My Department and I regularly engage with planning authorities on the implementation of planning guidelines, for example, through forums such as regular meetings with the City and County Managers Association and briefing sessions for local authority officials, and by commenting on draft development plans.

With regard to draft guidelines, the final draft of the wind energy guidelines which will replace the existing guidelines published in 1996 are at an advanced stage of preparation. It is normal practice, and in line with the principles of better regulation, to issue ministerial planning guidelines in draft form and to take into account any submissions made when finalising the text. This process is now nearly complete and I intend to publish the final guidelines very soon. Given that this is normal practice, I am not aware of any confusion among planning authorities in advance of the final text being published.

A public consultation draft of revised development management guidelines, replacing and updating the 1982 development control advice and guidelines, and draft development plan guidelines, will be published in the coming weeks. Preliminary work on drafting guidelines in respect of public safety zones at State airports has begun; it is intended to publish them for public consultation later this year.

Guidelines for Planning Authorities

Title

Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Tree Preservation (1994)

Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures (1996).

Wind Farm Development Guidelines (1996).

Residential Density Guidelines (1999).

Retail Planning Guidelines (2000, revised in 2005).

Housing Supply (Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000) Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2000) Further guidance on implementation issued in 2002, 2003 and 2004).

Childcare Facilities Guidelines (2001).

Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines (2004)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guidance for Consent Authorities regarding Sub-threshold Development (2003).

Control of Quarries (2004).

Development Control, Advice and Guidelines (1982).

Implementation of SEA Directive (2001/42/EC): Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment.

Implementing Regional Planning Guidelines — Best Practice Guidance (February 2005).

Sustainable Rural Housing (2005).