I have been meaning to read this in full and have only had a chance this weekend. All planners should read this:
On 28 February, 2007, Mr. Dick Roche, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government signed the Planning and Development Regulations 2007 - Micro-Renewables - which give effect to new exempted development provisions in respect of micro-renewable technologies.
"The generation of renewable energy provides opportunities to address climate change, ensure security of supply and promote sustainable development. Through the new planning exemptions which I have made recently, this Government has taken another step on the road to a Green Energy Revolution" - the Minister said.
The new Regulations will provide exemptions from planning permission for solar panels, heat pumps, wind turbines and wood pellet burners - subject to certain conditions.
"This Government has already taken wide-ranging measures to promote renewable energy usage and reduce energy-related emissions" - said Minister Roche. "For example, we have put in place a renewable electricity support tariff to subsidise the connection of renewable-sourced electricity to the national grid. The Commercial Bioheat Scheme and the Greener Homes Scheme have been extremely popular and were enhanced in Budget 2007. New agricultural supports have been introduced for the production of Biomass.
"What I am doing today is ensuring that the planning system complements these initiatives in supporting the widest possible usage of renewable energy. This initiative is another example of the joined-up Government response to Climate Change. Every sector, every organisation and every individual must take responsibility for the impacts their activities and their lifestyle have on our planet.
"As a Government, one of our key tasks is to encourage people to look after their end of the bargain, so that everyone can make a contribution to the climate change challenge."
In concluding the announcement, Minister Roche stated - "these draft regulations are the first set of proposed exemptions, designed specifically to enable the planning system to help expand the use of renewable energy. I am taking the opportunity today to announce a further examination of the planning implications of renewable technologies in other sectors - such as industrial and retail sites - with a view to encouraging their uptake.
"In so far as has been possible, every effort has been made to future-proof the regulations with one eye on what developments in the sector might bring. However, it would be unreasonable to assume that these exemptions somehow represent the last word on how renewable energy is dealt with under the planning code. I am happy to keep these provisions under review to ensure their effectiveness."
The exemptions - which come into effect immediately - apply to wind turbines, solar panels, heat pumps and biomass - subject to certain conditions in each case.
Their introduction follows on from a consultation paper, published by Minister Roche in November 2006. This set out a number of recommendations on how various micro-renewable energy technologies would be handled by the planning code.
Over 65 submissions were received on foot of the consultation paper and almost all of the respondents indicated support for the introduction of planning exemptions for micro-renewables - including wind turbines - as a means of encouraging wider uptake. Within the overall support for the broad approach proposed, a wide range of views were submitted for consideration. All submissions were carefully considered and the draft regulations - as they now appear - have been revised significantly on the basis of the arguments put forward by respondents.
Following completion of the consultation process, draft Regulations were prepared and presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and Local Government on 15 February, by Mr. Batt O'Keeffe T.D., Minister of State for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
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