AQW 16659/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 22/03/2021
Answered On Date: 30/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) the checks carried out on windfarms to ensure that all mitigations in their planning approval have been adhered to, both initially and throughout their operation; and (ii) how much consideration is given to the protection of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and historic monuments when approving windfarm planning applications.

Answer:

Conditions attached to any planning permission for windfarms generally reflect the parameters of the proposal and mitigation proposed by the developer via submissions including the Environmental Impact Assessment. As such, conditions should not pose any unfamiliar or unnecessary burden and compliance is therefore anticipated. It is the responsibility of applicants to implement their planning permission in accordance with the conditions stipulated. However, where breaches are apparent, either initially or throughout the operational period of a windfarm, enforcement action under the provisions of the Planning (Act) NI 2011 can be commenced.

Proposals for windfarms within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and affecting historic monuments or their settings are assessed against the relevant policies in Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 2: Natural Heritage, PPS 6: Planning Archaeology and the Built Heritage, PPS 18: Renewable Energy and the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS).