Roche: Rural planning needs balance
He revealed he got a “vituperative” e-mail accusing him of destroying scenic Ireland, one week after he published special planning guidelines for windfarms.
He also told the Select Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Local Government his grant scheme for individual householders installing solar panels ran into difficulty this year when some local authorities demanded people first obtain planning permission for the panels, the cost of which was greater than the grant available.
“I have introduced new guidelines which provide that people will no longer be required to obtain planning permission for the installation of solar panels. Solar panels on the roof of a house do not offend anybody and their installation should be supported,” said Minister Roche.
He revealed his Department has received more than 9,500 applications for solar panel grants up to November.
Committee member Jackie Healy-Rae, TD appealed to Minister Roche to commission a report on the behaviour of local authorities who have refused permission for wind farms on the Curragh of Kildare and in parts of south Kerry and south-west Cork.
“They are providing these wind farms in countryside from which the corncrake ran because it could not survive there. The only thing that is left is the snipe, which is getting terribly scarce also,” said Deputy Healy-Rae.
“We have a perfect alternative source of energy, but local authorities are refusing the planning applications of people who are prepared to spend millions of euro to exploit it.”
“They are being forced to reapply for permission or move their turbines further downhill and away from the good wind.”
“In the name of God, I appeal to the Minister to examine these refusals for which no sound reason exists in the earthly world,” said Deputy Healy-Rae.
Minister Roche said wind energy projects have enormous potential, and he was concerned about the issue of planning permission and inconsistencies in planning decisions.
“Another issue up for public discussion and reaction is that of planning exemptions for micro-windmills,” he told the Committee.
During his presentation to the Committee on Ireland’s purchase of €20 million of Carbon Credits from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, he said offshore wind energy projects have enormous potential, despite the cost, and wave energy projects have even more potential than wind.
