The preparation and adoption of statutory planning guidelines are a function of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, pursuant to section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended). As such, I have no statutory role in their preparation or adoption.
The Climate Action Plan 2024 contains a commitment to issue new wind energy development guidelines (WEDGs).
In connection with this commitment, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), as the Department with responsibility for planning guidelines such as the WEDGs, is currently undertaking this work. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
Guidance on the noise aspect of the Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature, is being advanced by my Department in conjunction with DHLGH. Both Departments are engaged on work regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose in line with existing standards and international best practice and having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
The submission referred to by the Deputy was received by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage as part of the public consultation of the 2019 review of the WEDGs and was subsequently forwarded to my officials for consideration as part of this review, having regard to my Department’s environmental noise remit.
In response to it and a number of other relevant submissions, my Department issued a Request for Tenders for Acousticians, in February of 2023, seeking specialist technical input to inform any amendments to the noise elements of the WEDGs and engaged consultants in April of that year.
DHLGH, in conjunction with my Department, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work, to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development, including in relation to noise annoyance.
The 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force pending the finalisation of the review process.
