Wind Turbine Planning Northern Ireland – Visual Amenity & PPS18
Despite what Environment Minister Edwin Poots has to say about Wind Turbines – “While other renewable energy technologies will play an increasingly important role, I believe it is the mature technology of wind energy that will provide the most significant contribution toward the achievement of this target.”
Mr Poots said… “ I believe firmly that PPS18 strikes the right balance between protection of our valuable natural heritage and preservation of the amenity of rural dwellers, whilst at the same time ensuring that the necessary renewable energy infrastructure is put in place to allow us to meet our renewable energy targets,” ….statement taken from here. Seems that Mr Poots vision for a greener future in Northern Ireland, gets some what diluted at planning level…
At Silverford, a few of our clients small scale wind turbine projects have been halted due to ” Visual Amenity”, which is very frustrating for all concerned…. but the saga still continues, recently in Co.Down local planners came under fire - ” for preventing the development of renewable energy..”
Green Party Westminster candidate Cadogan Enright has slammed the local Planning Service for preventing the development of renewable energy from Sliabh Croob right across the Mournes area. He point out that the National Parks report had recommended in favour of a permissive regime for local farmers and businessmen for wind-turbines, and that planning policy PPS18 was equally in favour. Large numbers of planning refusals based on “visual amenity” were stopping the creation of jobs and blocking new income sources for farmers, businesspeople and householders. Cllr Enright was responding to local renewable energy businesses which have been repeatedly refused planning permission for wind turbines in the face of planning policy PPS18 which was designed to facilitate renewable energy.
Cadogan Enright said, “I have been approached by a number of businesses which are trying to get planning permission for wind turbines where there have been no local objections, but are being refused because of mercurial local interpretation of planning policy by officials in Downpatrick. These businesses are being made to be pay large fees to apply; they then have to wait over 16 months for a response and in the end are being refused permission because of what appears to be a local personal bias against wind turbines in the planning office not found elsewhere in NI. These installations are vital as a means of achieving N.I.’s renewable energy targets, reducing our carbon footprint, creating employment opportunities and developing revenue opportunities for local businesses.”
John Hardy of SEA said, “Even in the rare instances where permission is given, ridiculous height restrictions are being imposed, which render the projects uneconomic. Wind turbines are most efficient at heights of up to 40 metres as recommended in PPS18, yet restrictions are being placed on all applications which limit the height to 15 metres which seriously impacts the ability of the turbine to produce energy”.
Green Westminster Candidate Cadogan Enright said, “If the local planning authority has unilaterally decided not to apply the same rules as the rest of Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland as a whole in regards to wind turbines, then they need to inform the public as to why this is so and tell them not to waste their money making applications. Local politicians from all parties need work together to re-establish normality in planning for renewable energy in the district”….article taken from here
