Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2015
38. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of his engagements with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on his stated objective to update wind energy guidelines; if industrial wind farms are appropriate for residential areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44051/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setback distance and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed:
- the setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,
- a mandatory minimum setback distance of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and
- the complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
A public consultation process was initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the Guidelines, which ran until 21 February 2014. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process. It is intended that the revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines will be finalised as soon as possible. In this regard, account has to be taken of the extensive response to the public consultation in framing the final guidelines. Further work is also advancing to develop technical appendices to assist planning authorities with the practical application of the noise measurement aspects of the Wind Guidelines. My Department is advancing work on the Guidelines in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006, when finalised, will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts.
Proposals for the location of individual wind farms are a matter for the relevant developer taking account of several criteria including connectivity to the national grid.
When considering individual planning applications for such developments and the appropriateness of their location, planning authorities, including An Bord Pleanála where relevant, are required to have regard to local area and county development plans, local authority renewable energy strategies, the Wind Energy Development Guidelines issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and other relevant matters including existing residential development, existing wind energy developments, the local landscape and the natural and built heritage.
The 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines provide a guide to the analysis of suitable areas for wind energy by planning authorities, when preparing their development plans and renewable energy strategies.
