Written answers

Tuesday, 4 October 2005

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Planning Issues

9:00 pm

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 532: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the planning and development regulations and the draft development management guidelines will be published. [26282/05]

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions No. 51 of 4 November 2004 and No. 811 of 28 June 2005 when the finalisation of the draft guidelines for planning authorities on wind energy will be published; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this delay is causing considerable uncertainty in the planning system; 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. [26354/05]

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 538 together.

The final draft of the wind energy guidelines, which will replace the existing guidelines published in 1996, are at an advanced stage and will be published shortly. 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. Given that this is normal practice, I am not aware of any confusion among planning authorities in advance of the final text being published.

Guidelines for planning authorities on development management and development plans are at an advanced stage of preparation and it is intended to publish them for consultation shortly. Preliminary work on drafting guidelines in respect of public safety zones at State airports has also begun and it is intended to publish them for public consultation later this year.

My Department recently consulted stakeholders on the second draft of the revised permission regulations. Their views are now being considered in the final draft. I hope to be in a position to sign those regulations shortly.

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