Written answers

Wednesday, 14 November 2007

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Planning Issues

9:00 pm

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposed distances from private dwellings to wind turbines; and if there will be rural and urban consideration. [28102/07]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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On 25 October 2007 my Department launched a public consultation process on proposed amendments to the exempted development provisions of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to provide exemptions for certain renewable energy technologies for use in the industrial, commercial, public and agricultural sectors. The overall aim is to ensure that the planning system supports the use of renewable energy technologies, thereby supporting wider Government efforts to tackle climate change. This follows the introduction, in February 2007, of exemptions for micro-renewable technologies for use in the domestic context based on a similar consultation process in late 2006.

The current proposals include exemptions for combined heat and power facilities, wind turbines, heat pumps, solar panels and biomass heaters in each sector, subject to certain conditions relating to safety, visual and noise impacts. The conditions are necessary to help achieve the right balance between maximising the impact of the exemptions on uptake of renewable energy on the one hand, and on adequately addressing the potential impacts on visual amenity, noise, and safety considerations on the other.

As set out in the consultation document, it is proposed that the erection of a wind turbine of up to 20 metres in height within the curtilage of an industrial, commercial, public, or agricultural building, would be exempt from planning permission requirements, subject to a number of conditions. In relation specifically to distances from dwellings, one of the proposed conditions would require that such a turbine would be sited at a minimum of 100 metres from the nearest inhabited dwelling.

It is, of course, open to any person to make a submission to my Department on any aspect of the proposed exemptions, set out in the consultation document, before 18 January 2007. I look forward to as many people as possible involving themselves in this process.

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