Robert Troy
Ceist:217. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the expected timeframe for the new national wind energy guidelines to be put on a statutory basis. [47193/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 8 November 2017
Ceisteanna (217, 219)
Robert Troy
Ceist:219. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he expects the new national wind energy guidelines to be put on a statutory basis. [47221/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 219 together.
My predecessor as Minister, in conjunction with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, announced an emerging "preferred draft approach" to the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines in June 2017.
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 "preferred 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 nine months and tendering to engage the necessary expertise to carry out that process is currently underway. In light of the SEA requirements, it is expected that the revisions to the Guidelines will not be finalised and come into effect until 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.