Written answers

Thursday, 11 April 2019

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Wind Energy Guidelines

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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212. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there will be an increase to the mandatory minimum 500 metre setback distance for the construction of turbines nears homes in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17057/19]

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.  The review is addressing a number of key aspects including sound or noise, visual amenity setback distances, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.

As part of the overall review, 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.   My Department appointed SEA experts in December 2017 to assist in this regard. 

These revised draft guidelines were to be published in Quarter 1 2019.  However, there have now been some delays to the planned schedule, due to the recent publication of updated World Health Organisation (WHO) noise standards and the need to focus on certain Brexit-related planning issues. As part of the SEA process, there will be an 8 week public consultation on the revised draft Guidelines, together with the comprehensive environmental report 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 2019.

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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