Written answers

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Wind Energy Guidelines

Photo of Pat CaseyPat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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197. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason for the delay in publishing the wind farm planning guidelines; the reason for the current policy towards onshore industrial size wind farming in sensitive landscapes such as County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22753/18]

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These Guidelines offer advice to planning authorities on planning for onshore wind energy through the development plan process and in determining applications for planning permission. The Guidelines are also intended to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country in the identification of suitable locations for wind energy development.

As part of the overall review of these Guidelines, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being undertaken on the revised Guidelines before they come into effect, in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, otherwise known as the SEA Directive.

SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process. Following a tendering process, my Department appointed SEA experts in December 2017 to assist in this regard. It is expected that a public consultation on the revised draft Guidelines, together with the comprehensive environmental report, will be commenced before end-Q2 this year, with the aim of issuing the finalised Guidelines, following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions and views received during the consultation phase, later in 2018.

When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.

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