Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020
121. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reduce the delays in the planning and application process for both on-shore and off-shore windfarms which are needed to meet our 2030 energy targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34400/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraProposals for onshore wind farm developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), in the same manner as other proposed developments. In the case of wind farm development proposals comprising not more than 25 turbines or having a total output not greater than 50 megawatts, planning applications are made to the relevant local planning authority, with a right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála. Wind farm development proposals in excess of these thresholds are classified as Strategic Infrastructure Developments under the Seventh Schedule of the Act in respect of which more streamlined arrangements apply and where such planning applications are required to be made directly to the Board. Wind farm development proposals can be quite complex in nature, having to comply with relevant EU environmental and habitats related reqiurements, resulting in some delays in the determination of such planning applications and appeals by the Board. However, concerted efforts are made by the Board to prioritise wind farm cases so that determinations are made in as timely a manner as possible in the circumstances.
Offshore windfarms are not provided for under the terrestrial planning regime and are instead currently legislated for under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended. In this regard, my Department is leading the development of a new Marine Planning and Development Management (MPDM) Bill which will provide the legislative basis for Ireland's new marine planning regime including offshore wind farm developments. The MPDM Bill is somewhat modelled on the terrestrial planning regime while also having regard to relevant EU and UN requirements in relation to marine developments and the marine area.
In order to deal with offshore renewable energy (ORE) developments in respect of which planning applications have been submitted under the pre-existing Foreshore Act provisions but which have not yet been determined, a transition protocol has been developed in association with the Department of Environment, Communications and Climate to enable the transfer of such development proposals to the new regime being developed under the MPDM Bill. Once the MPDM Bill is enacted, my Department will develop planning guidelines for ORE with the aim of supporting ORE development.
