Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he plans to amend the planning regulations with regard to the height exemption afforded to a wind turbine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14315/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Planning and Development Regulations 2007 and 2008 provide exemptions from planning permission requirements in respect of the use of certain classes of micro-renewable technologies, including wind turbines, in homes and in the industrial, business and agricultural sectors, subject to appropriate conditions.

The main conditions applicable in respect of a wind turbine located within the curtilage of a domestic property are that the turbine cannot be mounted on to the residence or any other structure, its height should not exceed 13 metres and its rotor diameter should not exceed 6 meters. With regard to a wind turbine located within the curtilage of a commercial, industrial or agricultural property, the turbine height should not exceed 20 metres and its rotor diameter should not exceed 8 meters. In all cases, ground clearance should not be less than 3 metres. A summary of the conditions relating to these exemptions is provided below.

The exemptions were based on the results of extensive public consultation and are intended to strike a balance between encouraging uptake of renewable technologies, minimising safety risks and avoiding unfavourable impacts on local amenity.

Currently, I have no proposals to amend the relevant Regulations with regard to planning exemptions for wind turbines. EXEMPTIONS FOR RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGY Wind turbines within the curtilage of a domestic property · No exemption for building-mounted turbines · Max height up to 13 m · Rotor diameter up to 6 m · Ground clearance of at least 3 m

· Must be turbine height (including the blade of the turbine at the highest point of its arc) plus 1 m from nearest party boundary

· Consent of IAA required if within 5 kms of an airfield, etc

· Noise levels must be less than 43 db(A) during normal operation

· Only 1 per site

· No constructed, erected or place forward if the front wall of a house

· No logos, and non-reflective finish

Wind turbines within the curtilage of a commercial, industrial or agricultural property

· No exemption for building-mounted turbines

· Max height up to 20 m

· Rotor diameter up to 8 m

· Ground clearance of at least 3 m

· Must be turbine height plus 5 m from nearest party boundary and non-electrical overhead cables

· Must be turbine height plus 20 m from 38 kV lines or own height plus 30 m from lines of 110 kV or more

· Consent of IAA required if within 5 kms of an airfield, etc

· Noise levels must be less than 43 db(A) at site boundary

· Only 1 per site, and not within an ACA

· No logos, and non-reflective finish