Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

339. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the national guidelines will be available to local authorities in respect of the renewal energy landscape character assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32794/17]

Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

340. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport was not consulted when compiling and reviewing the renewal energy strategy landscape character assessment in respect of County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32798/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together.

Arising from Ireland’s ratification of the European Landscape Convention I launched the National Landscape Strategy for Ireland 2015-2025 in May 2015. Copies are available on my Department’s website.

The Strategy is to be implemented in two phases. The key action in Phase one, as set out in the Implementation Programme, will be the preparation of a National Landscape Character Assessment (NLCA). My Department is currently preparing tender documentation for the NLCA. The NLCA will be an important tool to provide data and objective information required to evaluate the current state of the landscape and to underpin effective spatial planning and landscape-centred decision making.

I would note that the primary role of planning authorities and the consultative roles of other bodies and persons in decision-making relating to landscape issues will continue to be governed by the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). One of the objectives of the National Landscape Strategy will be to assist in the achievement of greater consistency in decision making when dealing with issues of landscape via the landscape character assessment process, within City and County Development Plans, at local government level.

The second phase of the strategy under Action 3 is: “Following completion of the National Landscape Character Assessment, statutory guidelines on local Landscape Character Assessments, following best international practice, and incorporating Historic Landscape Characterisation, and other appropriate assessment methodologies, will be prepared for Planning Authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).” The preparation and issuing of these statutory guidelines will be a joint action of my Department and that of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

In relation to whether Kerry County Council consulted with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding its Landscape Character Assessment, this is a matter for the County Council and I have no function in that regard.