Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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151. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on progress being made and an expected publication timeframe for planning guidelines regarding development of wind energy infrastructure in view of the ongoing developments and plans by wind energy providers in local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44749/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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My Department commenced a public consultation in December 2013 on proposed “draft” revisions to the existing 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines focussing specifically on the issues of noise, setbacks and shadow flicker. These draft revisions proposed:

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

- a mandatory minimum setback distance 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.

The proposed draft revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006, when finalised, will be issued by me under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts.

It is intended that the revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines will be finalised as soon as possible. Account has to be taken of the extensive response to the public consultation in framing the final guidelines. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during the public consultation period. Further work is also advancing to develop technical appendices to assist planning authorities with the practical application of the noise measurement aspects of the Wind Guidelines.