Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1601. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to develop guidelines for planning authorities with respect to solar farm projects; the criteria used in the absence of guidelines to determine planning applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16327/18]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1602. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the chairperson of An Bord Pleanála formally requested that national guidelines for solar farm projects should be provided to planning authorities; if so, his views on same; the nature of the response; if not, his plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16328/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1601 and 1602 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. 

My Department has not received a formal request from the Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála to provide solar farm planning guidelines for planning authorities.

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, is working on the development of a Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework, as well as the finalisation of a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme. 

On foot of engagement between our two Departments, where the need for specific planning guidance for solar farms, in the context of developing renewable energy policy, is identified, my Department will develop such guidance as deemed appropriate.