|
New Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG),
to guide developers on the siting and design of wind energy
development in Northern Ireland’s landscapes, has been published.
Welcoming the new guidance, Northern Ireland Environment
Minister Edwin Poots said - “The SPG seeks to guide wind energy
development to take account of our diverse and valued landscapes
throughout Northern Ireland. By doing this, it will support
delivery of the renewable energy target set out in the Strategic
Energy Framework.”
The SPG provides broad, strategic guidance in relation to
the visual and landscape impacts of wind energy development.
It includes general guidance on siting and design and advice
on the landscape assessment of proposed developments. It is
expected to speed up the planning process by ensuring appropriate
and consistent consideration of landscape issues.
Minister Poots provided assurances that the guidance will
not give undue weight to landscape over other issues. He said
- “Planning Policy Statement 18 makes it clear that the wider
environmental, economic and social benefits of all proposals
for renewable energy projects will be given significant weight
in determining whether planning permission should be granted.
Therefore I am confident that planning decisions will take
account of all the relevant factors.”
For more information - Click
Here
|
