Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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84. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a recent report commissioned by his Department and carried out by the SEAI which found that wind turbines should be sited ten times the tip height from dwelling houses; his plans to ensure that these recommendations are implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29810/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The statutory responsibility on planning policy and legislation, including leading the review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, rests with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, in consultation with me, announced last week that we had developed a preferred draft approach following a targeted review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines (WEDGs) in relation to noise, shadow flicker and proximity.  I believe that the proposal strikes the appropriate balance between facilitating future wind energy projects, in the context of ensuring we can deliver on our EU renewable energy targets, while addressing the genuine concerns of local communities in the areas where wind farm developments are proposed.

The review was undertaken to reflect technological developments and scientific research in the wind energy sector since the current Guidelines were published in 2006. A summary of the “Preferred Draft Approach” is available on the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government website at the following link www.housing.gov.ie/planning/guidelines/wind-energy/coveney-and-naughten-announce-key-development-review-wind-energy-development-guidelines. The key aspects of the proposed approach are:

- The application of a more stringent noise limit, consistent with World Health Organisation standards, in tandem with a new robust noise monitoring regime, to ensure compliance with noise standards.

- A visual amenity setback of 4 times the turbine height between a wind turbine and the nearest residential property, subject to a mandatory minimum distance of 500 metres,

- The elimination of shadow flicker, and

- The introduction of new obligations in relation to engagement with local communities by wind farm developers along with the provision of community benefit measures.

The proposed new Guidelines will be subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment and associated public consultation before they are finalised by Government. The new planning guidelines will also be informed by best international practice. In the interim developers have committed to a Code of Practice for Wind Energy Development in Ireland - Guidelines for Community Engagement, which emphasises full and transparent engagement with local communities. The Code is available on my Department’s website: www.dccae.gov.ie.