Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

245. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the progress of preparation of revised planning guidelines for the development of wind turbines; the process that is involved; when he expects these to be available for review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24128/16]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

278. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the preparation of revised planning guidelines for the development of wind turbines; the process that will be involved to have these published, reviewed and approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24133/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 278 together.

In December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setback distance and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed:

- the setting of a more stringent day- and night-time 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.

A public consultation process was also initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, which ran until 21 February 2014. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process.

As outlined in the recently published Programme for a Partnership Government, this Government is committed to finalising the revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines within 3 to 6 months. The revisions to the Guidelines will be informed by the public consultation process and by best international practice. My Department will continue to advance work on the Guidelines, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

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