I am aware of concerns regarding sequencing difficulties between expiration of planning permissions and timing of grid connections. Firstly, I should point out that, as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I am precluded, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, from exercising any power or control in relation to any individual planning application or appeal with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. Secondly, the granting of grid connections is a matter for the Commissioner for Energy Regulation.
Planning permissions are typically granted for a period of 5 years. I understand that a limited number of applications that received permission in recent years have been affected by the moratorium on grid connections imposed by the Commissioner for Energy Regulation in 2003-2004. Where planning permissions expire, Section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that developers may seek an extension of the appropriate period, subject to certain conditions, including a requirement that substantial works have been carried out by the time of expiration. It is a matter for planning authorities as to whether these conditions are met in individual circumstances.
However, Section 41 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 also provides that planning authorities may grant planning permission for a period longer than the normal 5 years. Last June I took steps, in the Guidelines on Wind Energy Development, to encourage planning authorities to use this provision when considering applications for wind energy development.
