Construction BUSINESS

The Government recently announced a set of proposed guidelines for wind energy developments in Ireland. The changes include the application of a more stringent noise limit and a new robust noise monitoring regime to ensure compliance with noise standards. A visual amenity setback of four times the turbine height between a wind turbine and the nearest residential property has also been proposed as has the elimination of shadow flicker. New obligations in relation to engagement with local communities by wind farm developers have also been suggested.

The changes were outlined by former Housing Minister Simon Coveney who said the preferred draft approach “strikes the appropriate balance between facilitating future wind energy projects, in the context of ensuring we can deliver on our EU renewable energy targets, while simultaneously addressing the genuine concerns of local communities in the areas where wind farm developments are proposed.”

It is expected that the new statutory guidelines will be issued to planning authorities in the first quarter of 2018.