Written answers

Tuesday, 4 July 2017

Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

Renewable Energy Projects

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

616. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the guidelines for the installation of solar farms on farmland which bounds residential areas and residential houses; if assessments or reports have been carried out as to possible health and wellbeing issues associated with solar farms close to residential areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30915/17]

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

617. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce guidelines for solar farm developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30926/17]

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

620. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the national guidelines in place to guide planning permission applications and An Bord Pleanála appeals for solar farm developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31374/17]

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

621. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the various stages and indicative timelines to be undertaken in order to develop guidelines for solar energy planning applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31375/17]

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

626. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has issued guidelines or directives to local authorities in relation to the rollout of solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30916/17]

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 616, 617, 620, 621 and 626 together.

There are no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar farms. Proposals for individual solar farm developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments. Planning applications are made to the relevant local planning authority with a right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

Under the Planning and Development Act, each planning authority's development plan must set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned. Section 10 of the Act requires a development plan to include, inter alia, objectives for the provision or facilitation of the provision of infrastructure, including energy facilities, and many local authorities have developed renewable energy strategies for their areas in this context.

In making decisions on planning applications, planning authorities and the Board must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the local development plan, any submissions or observations received and relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any relevant guidelines issued by my Department. Planning authorities must then make their own decisions based on the specific merits or otherwise of individual planning applications.

I am satisfied that the planning code is sufficiently robust to facilitate the assessment of individual planning permission applications for solar farm developments. However, the matter will be kept under review, in consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, and his Department - which leads on renewable energy policy - in the context of the Government's White Paper on Energy Policy, published in December 2015, the development of a Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework, as well as the finalisation of a new support scheme for renewable electricity by that Department.  I understand that, subject to public consultation and the need to secure Government approval and state aid clearance from the European Commission, it is expected that the new scheme will become operational in 2018.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.