Written answers

Tuesday, 10 February 2009

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Planning Issues

9:00 pm

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to increase the duration of planning permission to ten years in respect of applications in respect of wind farms and associated wind and green energy structures; if this can be retrospective for permissions nearing their five year period but not yet commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4206/09]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Planning permissions are typically granted for a period of 5 years, although a planning authority may, having regard to the nature and extent of the relevant development and any other material considerations, specify a longer period during which a permission is to have effect. Where a planning permission expires, the developer may seek an extension of the relevant period. Subject to compliance with certain requirements, including the requirement that substantial works were carried out pursuant to the permission during that period, a planning authority may extend the duration of a permission by such additional period as it considers necessary to enable the relevant development to be completed. This period may be further extended where the planning authority is satisfied that the relevant development had not been completed due to circumstances beyond the control of the developer.

On the particular issue of Wind Farm development, my Department also issued the Wind Energy Development Guidelines in June 2006. A copy of the Guidelines is available on my Department's website www.environ.ie. The Guidelines offer advice to planning authorities on planning for wind energy through the development plan process and in determining applications for planning permission, including the duration of the planning permission itself. The relevant provisions of these guidelines were restated in Circular Letter PD3/08 issued on 16 July 2008. While I consider that these provisions are adequate they will be reviewed in the context of the forthcoming Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill.

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