Written answers

Thursday, 7 December 2006

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Planning Issues

7:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which permission is required under the Planning Acts for the provision of satellite dishes, security cameras or micro-electricity wind generators on or near the external walls of dwelling houses or within the curtilage thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42204/06]

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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All development requires planning permission unless specifically exempted under the Planning and Development Acts and Regulations. Section 4(1)(h) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, provides that development consisting of the carrying out of works for the maintenance, improvement or other alteration of any structure is exempted development if the works affect only the interior of the structure or do not materially affect the external appearance of the structure so as to render the appearance inconsistent with the character of the structure or of neighbouring structures. The erection of one dish type antenna used for the receiving and transmitting of signals from satellites on, or within the curtilage of a house is specifically exempted from the requirement to obtain planning permission, subject to conditions, under the provisions of Schedule 2, Class 4 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001. The conditions include that no such antenna shall be erected on, or forward of, the front wall of the house.

On 5 November, I announced the publication of a consultation paper containing proposals to revise the exempted development regulations to ensure that they support the use of renewable energy for domestic users, for example to permit the installation of small wind turbines or solar panels without planning permission in certain circumstances. My Department is currently considering the submissions received during the consultation period and I expect to submit draft exempted development regulations to the Oireachtas shortly: these would require the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas.

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