Mid Western Regional Authority 8 February 2008 “Proposed Planning Exemptions for Renewable energy Technologies” George Burke Planning 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 Condition Domestic (Micro) Proposed (Ind, Ag + Comm) Turbine Height13m max20m max Blade Diameter6m max8m max Ground Clearance3m min Distance from - boundaryHeight + 1 m - public roadN/A50m - nearest inhabited dwellingN/A100m - overhead cablesN/A2 x rotor diameter Noise < 43dB(A) at nearest inhabited dwelling No. within Curtilage11 Logos/signsNone allowed Type of TurbineFree-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 Condition Domestic (Micro) Proposed (Ind) Proposed (Comm/ Public) Proposed (Agric) Aperture Area: - roof mounted max 12m 2 /50% total roof area No limit (Total roof area) max 50m 2 / 50% total roof area max 50m 2 / 50% total roof area - wall- mounted/free- standingmax 12m 2 max 50m 2 max 25m 2 Distance of panel: - above wall/pitched roof15cm max1m max - above flat roof50cm max 2m max - from roof edge50cm min Height above ground (free- standing)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 Condition Domestic (Micro) Proposed (Ind) Proposed (Comm/Public ) Proposed (Agric) Ground level Max 1m alteration Area of pumpmax 2.5m 2 max 15m 2 max 10m 2 Distance of pump from roof edge50cm min Noise < 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 Condition Domestic (Micro) Proposed (Ind) Proposed (Comm/ Public) Proposed (Agric) Gross floor spaceN/A20m 2 Fuel Storage Capacity3,300 litres50,000 litres Height:N/A - Boiler/storage tankN/Amax 3 m - flueN/Amax 15m No. of fluesN/Amax 2 Flue diameterN/Amax 2m Distance from:N/A - public roadN/A50m - nearest inhabited dwellingN/A100m NoiseN/A < 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 Condition Domestic (Micro) Proposed (Ind) Proposed (Comm/ Public) Proposed (Agric) Gross floor spaceN/A500m 2 300m 2 LengthN/Amax 50mmax 40m HeightN/A - structureN/Amax 10mmax 8mmax 10m - flueN/Amax 20mmax 15m No. of fluesN/Amax 2 Flue diameterN/Amax 2m Distance from:N/A - public roadN/A50m - nearest inhabited dwellingN/A 200m NoiseN/A < 43dB(A) at site boundary < 43dB(A) at nearest inhabited dwelling < 43dB(A) at site boundary No. within Curtilage 111

Non-exempt Key message to prospective end users Seek planning permission for turbines which fall outside of scope of exemptions. Key message to planning authorities Thresholds 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 all This is an ongoing process.

Future Challenges Improved technologies Monitoring and review International best practice Important role of Regional Authorities and Local Authorities

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