Govt publishes guidelines for building windfarms

Environment Minister Martin Cullen has published planning guidelines that are expected to see controversial wind farms constructed in protected areas.

Mr Cullen said the guidelines set out ways in which such facilities could be constructed in Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) without harming the scenic beauty of these areas or the rare species that they support.

An Bord Pleanala has rejected several applications for permission to construct wind farms in SACs due to the adverse affects that they could have on scenic beauty and on rare birds like the hen harrier.

The guidelines published by Mr Cullen today require planning authorities to proactively identify sites for wind farms as part of efforts to boost the use of wind-energy in Ireland.