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Mid Western Regional Authority 8 February 2008
“Proposed Planning Exemptions for Renewable energy Technologies”
George BurkePlanning Section DoEHLG
Overview
Irish Planning System Key Drivers - Renewables Public Consultation Legislative Process Exemptions for Renewables Future Issues
Planning in Ireland
Planning and Development Act, 2000– Introduced concept of “sustainable development” in
the planning process for the first time– Section 4(1)(h) – provides exemption for
“development … which does not materially affect the external appearance of the structure …”.
Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 – No exempted development provisions for
renewables
Implementation of Planning Policy
Planning authorities– 34 local authorities– 54 town councils
An Bord Pleanala
Key Drivers – Renewables
Ministerial Commitment National Climate Change Strategy White Paper on Energy The Power of One Awareness Scheme Greener Homes Scheme
Review Process
2 overall aims:
1. Review planning legislation relating to use and installation of renewable technologies.
2. Remove regulatory barriers to the uptake of renewables in keeping with the principles of proper planning and sustainable development.
Pre-consultation
Initial Research
Main Renewable Technologies Identified
Draft exempted development provisions prepared
Micro-Renewable Technologies Consultation Process
Issued for short consultation period – 3 weeks (Nov 06)
64 submissions received Most comments related to proposed
exemptions for wind turbines and solar panels Mostly positive – many want more and bigger
Renewable Technologies Consultation Process
Issued for longer consultation period – 3 months (Oct 07-Jan 08)
47 submissions received Most comments related to proposed
exemptions for wind turbines – High interest also in CHP and solar panels
Mixed reaction
Renewables Exemptions
For Industrial Sites, Commercial and Public Buildings, and Agricultural Structures
Wind turbines, solar panels, heat pumps, combined heat and power, biomass – all included under the exemptions, but….
Conditions apply.
Wind Turbines - Conditions
Height – max 20m Blade diameter – max 8m Distance from:
– Boundary – total height +1m– Public road – 50m– Nearest inhabited dwelling – 100m
Noise <43dB(A) at nearest inhabited dwelling Only one per house
Wind Turbine - Conditions
ConditionDomestic
(Micro)Proposed
(Ind, Ag + Comm)
Turbine Height 13m max 20m max
Blade Diameter 6m max 8m max
Ground Clearance 3m min 3m min
Distance from
- boundary Height + 1 m Height + 1 m
- public road N/A 50m
- nearest inhabited dwelling N/A 100m
- overhead cables N/A 2 x rotor diameter
Noise< 43dB(A) at nearest
inhabited dwelling< 43dB(A) at nearest
inhabited dwelling
No. within Curtilage 1 1
Logos/signs None allowed None allowed
Type of Turbine Free-standing only Free-standing only
Solar Panels - Conditions
Aperture area – Roof - up to 50 sq metres/50% of roof– Wall/Free-standing – up to 25 sq metres
(Agricultural, Commercial and Public only)
Distance above:– Flat roof – max 2m– Pitched roof – max 2m– Ground (Free-standing) - max 2m
Solar Panels - Conditions
ConditionDomestic
(Micro)Proposed
(Ind)
Proposed (Comm/ Public)
Proposed (Agric)
Aperture Area:
- roof mountedmax 12m2/50% total roof area
No limit (Total roof
area)
max 50m2/50% total roof
area
max 50m2/50% total roof
area
- wall-mounted/fre
e-standing max 12m2 max 50m2 max 25m2 max 25m2
Distance of panel:
- above wall/pitched roof 15cm max 1m max 1m max 1m max
- above flat roof 50cm max 2m max 2m max 2m max
- from roof edge 50cm min 50cm min 50cm min 50cm min
Height above ground (free-standing) 2m max 2m max 2m max 2m max
Heat Pumps - Conditions
Ground or air source Air source:
– Industrial - max 15 sq metres – Others – max 10 sq. metres – Ground source: ground level not to be altered by more than
1m
Noise levels: not above 43dB, or 5dB above background levels
Not forward of front wall of the house
Heat Pumps - Conditions
ConditionDomestic
(Micro)Proposed
(Ind)
Proposed (Comm/Public
)Proposed
(Agric)
Ground levelMax 1m alteration
Max 1m alteration
Max 1m alteration
Max 1m alteration
Area of pump max 2.5m2 max 15m2 max 10m2 max 10m2
Distance of pump from roof edge 50cm min 50cm min 50cm min 50cm min
Noise
< 43dB(A) at nearest
inhabited dwelling
< 43dB(A) at nearest
inhabited dwelling
< 43dB(A) at nearest
inhabited dwelling
< 43dB(A) at nearest
inhabited dwelling
Biomass – Conditions
Storage tank or structure not to exceed 50,000 litres
Gross floor space – 20 sq. metres Height:
– Flue – 15m– Boiler/storage tank – 3m
Noise levels: not above 43dB, or 5dB above background levels
Biomass - Conditions
ConditionDomestic
(Micro)Proposed
(Ind)
Proposed (Comm/ Public)
Proposed (Agric)
Gross floor space N/A 20m2 20m2 20m2
Fuel Storage Capacity 3,300 litres 50,000 litres 50,000 litres 50,000 litres
Height: N/A
- Boiler/storage tank N/A max 3 m max 3 m max 3 m
- flue N/A max 15m max 15m max 15m
No. of flues N/A max 2 max 2 max 2
Flue diameter N/A max 2m max 2m max 2m
Distance from: N/A
- public road N/A 50m 50m 50m
- nearest inhabited dwelling N/A 100m 100m 100m
Noise N/A
< 43dB(A) at nearest
inhabited dwelling
< 43dB(A) at nearest
inhabited dwelling
< 43dB(A) at nearest
inhabited dwelling
Combined Heat and Power - Conditions
Gross floor space:– Industrial – 500 sq. metres, Others – 300 sq. metres
Height:– Structure – max 10m, Flue – max 20m– Slightly smaller for agricultural structures
Noise levels: not above 43dB, or 5dB above background levels
Distances – up to 200m from inhabited dwellings
Combined Heat and Power - Conditions
ConditionDomestic
(Micro)Proposed
(Ind)
Proposed (Comm/ Public)
Proposed (Agric)
Gross floor space N/A 500m2 300m2 300m2
Length N/A max 50m max 40m max 40m
Height N/A
- structure N/A max 10m max 8m max 10m
- flue N/A max 20m max 15m max 15m
No. of flues N/A max 2 max 2 max 2
Flue diameter N/A max 2m max 2m max 2m
Distance from: N/A
- public road N/A 50m 50m 50m
- nearest inhabited dwelling N/A N/A 200m 200m
Noise N/A
< 43dB(A) at site
boundary
< 43dB(A) at nearest
inhabited dwelling
< 43dB(A) at site boundary
No. within Curtilage 1 1 1
Non-exempt
Key message to prospective end users Seek planning permission for turbines which fall outside of scope of exemptions.
Key message to planning authoritiesThresholds should not influence decisions by planning authorities on applications for permission for the installation or erection of renewable technologies which fall outside the scope of the exemptions.
Key message to allThis is an ongoing process.
Future Challenges
Improved technologies Monitoring and review International best practice Important role of Regional Authorities and
Local Authorities
