Written answers

Thursday, 5 December 2013

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Wind Energy Guidelines

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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12. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to revise the planning regulations covering wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51807/13]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The existing Wind Energy Development Guidelines were published in June 2006. They provide advice to planning authorities on catering for wind energy through the development plan and development management processes. The guidelines are also intended to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country in the identification of suitable locations for wind energy development and the treatment of planning applications for such developments. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and other stakeholders, is currently undertaking a targeted review of the Wind Energy Guidelines 2006 focusing on noise, proximity and shadow flicker. My Department issued a press notice in January 2013 inviting submissions from the public on this targeted review.

Earlier this year, my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources commissioned the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to invite proposals from suitably qualified organisations for the completion of a desk study of peer reviewed studies and other documents that examine the significance of noise related to onshore wind farms. The objective of the study is to obtain evidence upon which to evaluate the appropriateness of the existing guidelines in relation to noise impacts and, if considered necessary, suggest changes. The study takes account of the following key contextual issues:

- the evolution of wind turbine technologies since the current Guidelines were published in 2006;

- experience to date in the application of the current Guidelines;

- research relating to wind turbine noise issues since the current Guidelines were adopted.

This study will form a key input into the review of the statutory guidelines. I understand the study is now being finalised, and this will allow for the publication shortly of revisions to the statutory wind guidelines in draft form. All statutory planning guidelines issue first in draft form for public consultation over a period of a couple of months. The draft guidelines will – like all other new or revised guidelines – be available for extensive public consultation for a period of 6 weeks to 2 months, to allow for publication of the final guidelines by mid- 2014. Once the consultation period is closed, the submissions received on the draft guidelines will be considered and taken into account in the final form of the guidelines, which will issue to planning authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). In the meantime all applications for wind energy development must be rigorously assessed in the light of the detailed advice in the 2006 guidelines.

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