Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017
64. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the recently issued guidelines for wind farms will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29816/17]
View answerMy predecessor as Minister, in conjunction with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, announced last month an emerging "preferred draft approach" to the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. A copy of the announcement is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/guidelines/wind-energy/coveney-and-naughten-announce-key-development-review-wind-energy-development-guidelines.
As part of the overall review, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) will be undertaken on the "proposed draft approach" to the revised Guidelines before they come into effect. This is 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, 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.
It is envisaged that the SEA process will take approximately 9 months. In light of the SEA requirements, it is expected that the Guidelines will be finalised and come into effect in Q1 2018. In the meantime, the current Guidelines remain in force.
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.
