Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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458. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the best practice guidelines for the development of the Irish wind energy industry are in line with European best practice guidelines, particularly in respect of effects on cultural heritage, proximity to residential communities and these communities' rights to quality of life and the visual impact of the development of this industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32710/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), planning authorities must have regard to my Department’s 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, when considering planning applications for such developments. The Guidelines provide advice to planning authorities on catering for wind energy development through the development plan and development management processes. They 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. Guidance is provided on issues such as natural and built heritage, proximity to residential communities, noise, shadow flicker and aesthetic considerations in siting and design including landscape impact.

It is unclear which European best practice guidelines the Deputy is referring to in his question. The 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines take account of European Union legislation on matters such as Environmental Impact Assessment and the protection of Habitats. As part of a focussed review of the 2006 Guidelines, Marshall Day Acoustics were commissioned during 2013 to carry out research relating to wind turbine noise including an examination of current EU and international practice. This research was an important input into proposed draft revisions to the Guidelines, which were put out for public consultation in December 2013.

These draft revisions propose;

- The setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,

- A mandatory minimum setback of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and

- The complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.

My Department received submissions from some 7,500 organisations and members of the public during the public consultation period, which are currently being considered. These public submissions will be an important input into the final version of the guidelines which I intend to issue to planning authorities later this year.