Planning Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Questions (905)

Seán Kyne

Question:

921 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 379 of 21 March 2012, if he notes that the stipulations outlined for planning applications, as mentioned in the reply, pertain to all planning applications and not specifically large-scale developments such as wind farms; and if, in view of the added environmental impact of large-scale developments, whether he shares the view that more comprehensive obligations regarding public consultation would be both advisable and beneficial in the interests of sustainable and responsible planning. [19348/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan)

The very extensive provisions referred to in the reply to Question No. 379 of 21 March 2012 in relation to public participation and notification of proposed development pertain to all planning applications and not specifically to large-scale wind farm developments. I am satisfied that these provisions, supplemented by the specific and detailed guidance to planning authorities on wind energy development set out in the Department's Wind Energy Development Guidelines, published on 29 June 2006, provide a sufficiently comprehensive framework for public consultation in respect of large-scale wind farm developments. I will continue to keep these and the suite of planning guidelines under review to ensure that they meet best practice and current policy advice.

Question No. 922 answered with Question No. 806.