Written answers

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Renewable Energy Generation

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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658. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position relating to the preparation of national policy guidelines for the solar farm industry; the timeframe in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6685/18]

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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689. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if priority is being given to ensure that sufficient planning consents for renewable energy projects in particular solar photovoltaic developments, will be in place in 2018 in order that meaningful competition will take place in the renewable energy support scheme auctions to deliver best value for consumers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7363/18]

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 658 and 689 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. 

Under section 30 of the Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be involved.

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 is being 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 Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS).  Where further specific planning advice or guidance is warranted, I will work with Minister Naughten and his Department in developing such guidance.

Matters relating to the proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment.

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