The status of the stated position paper is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive.
Proposals for individual wind energy developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and the Planning and Development Act 2024, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments, with planning applications made to the relevant local planning authority, or An Coimisiún Pleanála in the first instance. In making a decision on a planning application for a wind energy development, a planning authority must consider the specific merits or otherwise of the application, in line with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan including any zoning objectives, any submissions or observations received from the public and the statutory consultees, and any relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including the Wind Energy Guidelines 2006, issued by the Department.
It is open to any member of the public to make an observation or submission on a planning application, including in relation to wind energy developments, and the planning authority is statutorily obliged to consider such submissions before making a decision on the application. Persons who make submissions are also entitled to be notified of any significant further information provided to the planning authority by the applicant and to be notified of the authority’s decision on the application.
A focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines is underway as part of the development a new National Planning Statement on Wind Energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024. The National Planning Statement will address key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. My Department is working towards concluding the finalisation of the National Planning Statement having regard to the intended public consultation and the impact of associated reforms and reviews including the revision of the NPF. The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of the review.
