Ministerial guidelines
Wind Energy Development Guidelines
Siting, design, noise and shadow flicker for wind farms. A revised draft was published for consultation in 2019.
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government · June 2006 · 119 pages
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- Planning Guidelines Fig 30: Unnecessary tracks create visual confusion in Mountain Moorland. Deep cutting and high banks of fill for roads have a scarring effect on mountainsides, and act as drainage channels thus resulting in hydrological impacts on adjacent areas/habitats and possibly initiating erosion due to concentrating water flows. 6.12 Turbine Colour The colour and surface finish of wind turbines influences the visual impact of a wind energy development. In most Irish landscapes, white, off-white or light grey are generally the most appropriate colours, but other natural colouring may be acceptable depending on the circumstances. For example, two-tone colouring, with a natural colour at the base of the turbine surmounted by white, off-white or light grey, can be effective. Turbines should as far as possible appear as a positive element within a landscape. Consequently, dark grey or metallic colours can appear negative or relate to industrial elements, whereas white is expressive of an image of cleanliness and efficiency associated with wind energy. Matt non-reflective finishes should be used on all turbine components. 6.13 Turbine Maintenance Regular maintenance of turbines is important in the context of the general visual amenity of the wind energy development. In this regard: • Rotors should be kept rotating and counter rotation of blade sets should be avoided. Any malfunctioning turbines should be repaired or removed, together with ancilliary structures 75
- or any other scrap material, ideally within a maximum sixmonth period. • Nacelles and towers should be kept clear of leakage from internal fluids. 6.14 Turbine Transformers Given that they are relatively small and their visual impact is localized, turbine transformers can be located either within the tower, partially underground or adjacent to the tower. Where exposed in more sensitive locations, screening can be provided using earth mounding and/or vegetation, as appropriate to the surrounds. Where visually exposed, transformers can be painted to suit the backdrop. Decisions regarding the location of transformers should be informed by health and safety criteria. Fig 31: Visibility of turbine transformers and sub-stations. 6.15 Landscape Impact of Wind Energy Development Operation and Decommissioning The operability of turbines should be carefully monitored electronically so as to minimise the duration of a static nonfunctioning blade set, as otherwise visual disharmony could result. Decommissioning should involve the removal of all of the aboveground elements of the wind energy development and making good of the site, with the possible exception of roads and tracks where some further use can be found for them and this is approved by the planning authority. Foundation pads can be covered with 76lanning Guidelines
- Planning Guidelines local soil and left for natural re-vegetation, although they should be re-sodded in highly exposed locations. 6.16 Estimation of the Likely Degree of Impact on Landscape Estimation of impact upon landscape is reached using both quantitative and qualitative factors. It comprises the following four parts: • Landscape sensitivity (ranging from very low sensitivity to very high sensitivity) – relates to the acceptability of change to the landscape. The assessment is based on common sense, observation and professional knowledge. • Visual presence of the wind energy development (ranging from minimal presence to highly dominant) – relates to how visually dominant the wind energy development is on the landscape, but is not synonymous with or indicative of adverse impact. This criteria can be assessed by examining photomontages of the proposed wind energy development, taking into account such factors as viewing distance, screening, the spatial structure of the landscape and visual absorption capacity. • Aesthetic impact of the wind energy development on its landscape context (ranging from major positive impact to major adverse impact) - relates to the aesthetic relationship of the wind energy development to its context. Does the proposed wind energy development fit in well with the character of the landscape as recommended in these Guidelines, achieving an overall positive aesthetic relationship with its context? • Significance of the impact (ranging from insignificant to major) – a statement used to summarise the overall impact of the wind energy development and determined by the previously assessed landscape sensitivity, visual presence and aesthetic impact. This factor is not applied where the aesthetic impact has been deemed to be positive. 77
- Location Spatial Extent Cumulative Effect Spacing Layout Height Mountain Ridge and saddles are Tend towards large, Acceptable, depending on Any spacing may be Any layout may be Any height. Moorland generally acceptable. depending on scale of topography as well as acceptable, but regular acceptable, but random or actual context. siting and design of wind spacing may be best on a clustered may be best on clustered may be best on energy developments simple ridge or on broad ridges and hilltops, involved. sweeping areas. respectively, and grid on broad sweeping areas. Hills and Flat Anywhere. Generally limited to small Acceptable depending on Regular. Linear and staggered Medium typically preferred Farmland wind energy developments appropriate siting and linear layout on ridges and but tall may be acceptable. design. clustered on hilltops. Flat Peatland Anywhere. Large. A second wind energy Regular. Generally a layout with Tall. development may be depth, i.e. a grid, unless acceptable only at avery following a linear feature, great distance with where a linear or staggered minimal visual presence. linear layout may be acceptable. Transitional Ridges and hilltops Generally small relative to Generally not acceptable All options possibly Linear and staggered Generally medium and Marginal are preferred. scale of context and do unless the visual presence acceptable. linear layout on ridges and short. A varied profile is Land not bridge two different of the second wind farm is clustered on hilltops. acceptable in undulating land covers, e.g. negligible. landscape. moorland and field areas. Urban/ Close to but distinct Tend towards small – Minimal tolerance. Regular spacing is Linear or staggered linear Short enough so as not to Industrial from contiguous relate in scale to height preferred. Graded is preferred. A grid may be over-power existing structures. and spatial extent of spacing may be acceptable acceptable contiguous to buildings. A few tall contiguous structures. where composed relative larger structures. turbines may be to exiting structures. successful relative to the scale of existing buildings. Coastal Type Set back from water. Do not cross over A second wind farm may Regular is most Linear, especially along Tall may be acceptable, between beaches and be acceptable only at a appropriate. Graded beaches. A cluster may be especially along beaches. rocky promontories. very great distance with spacing may be acceptable on Profile should be even. minimal visual presence. acceptable on promontories. promontories. TABLE 1: MATRIX SUMMARISING LANDSCAPE CHARACTER BASED RECOMMENDATIONS 78Planning Guidelines
- Planning Guidelines Chapter 7 Planning Conditions 7.1 Introduction The preparation of an adequately researched and sufficiently detailed planning application should reduce the need for an extensive list of planning conditions and any further time required for processing consequent compliance submissions. The importance of pre-application discussions between the applicant and the planning authority in advance of lodging an application cannot be overemphasised (see section 4.1). Some planning authorities have devised standard conditions and reasons for use in relation to different types of applications. This practice is useful in the interests of consistency. The following criteria should apply to planning conditions, namely, is the condition: • Necessary? • Relevant to the development to be permitted? • Precise? • Reasonable? • Enforceable? In addition to establishing the suitability of planning conditions, it is important to ensure that the reason for attaching each condition is clear and unambiguous and that the developer fully understands what is required. The particular circumstances of each proposed development will need to be carefully considered in drafting conditions and deciding which conditions are necessary and appropriate. Matters that may be appropriately dealt with by the inclusion of conditions on a planning permission for wind energy development are detailed below. The list and accompanying explanation is included for guidance only and is not exhaustive: • Siting, design and layout • Flexibility of turbines layout on site 79
- • Flora, fauna and habitats • Archaeology • Noise • Environmental impact and monitoring • Construction • Borrow pits and quarrying • Roads and access routes • Associated structures and equipment • Grid connections • Site management issues • Shadow flicker • Electromagnetic interference • Aeronautical safety • Windtake • Financial contributions • Wind measuring masts • Decommissioning • Time limits 7.2 Siting Design Conditions which result in changes to siting, spatial extent layout, spacing, height, profile and colour of turbines need to be approached with care particularly where the wind energy application has been the subject of detailed pre planning discussion and an agreed design solution for a particular landscape proposed. The need for such conditions may arise through input from prescribed bodies or third party representations. The need to “modify” a layout will need to be balanced against the impact that that condition may have on the design of a particular wind energy project. 7.3 Flexibility in Turbine Location As the precise location of turbines may need to be modified in the course of development due to matters such as the wind regime, ground conditions, or heritage concerns, etc. It may be helpful as referred to in paragraph 6.6 in the design of a layout and in framing conditions to allow for a degree of flexibility in the final siting of turbines. Where this flexibility is agreed upon details of final 80lanning Guidelines
- Planning Guidelines specification should be submitted to and agreed in writing with the planning authority prior to commencement of development. 7.4 Archaeology Conditions on wind energy developments within close proximity to recorded monuments and sites may include the following: • Funding by the applicant of archaeological assessment, geophysical survey, archaeological testing, archaeological excavation and/or monitoring within the area covered by the permission; • Preservation of all or part of the archaeological remains (in situ or by record) in the area covered by the permission; • Relocation of position of turbine(s) in order to minimise impact on the archaeological heritage and/or create buffer zones; • Temporary fencing-off of archaeological monuments during construction, repairing and decommissioning in order to protect and preserve the monuments; and • Other appropriate archaeological mitigation measures that may be deemed necessary. 7.5 Noise, including Construction Noise Conditions relating to noise levels are attached to planning permissions for wind energy developments to protect the amenity of nearby noise sensitive locations. Conditions relating to noise should address the issues of: • Level limits; • Locations at which those limits apply; • Time of day at which the limit applies; • Parameters to be measured for control purposes; and • Access to data generated by the monitoring programme. 81
- If there is an issue in relation to interference with the amenities of noise sensitive properties from construction work, it may be appropriate to attach a condition to control the hours in which construction may take place rather than attach conditions to control noise from the actual construction works, which are of a temporary nature. However, in attaching such a condition, it would be important to ensure that operational matters are taken into account, for example, the transport of exceptionally long loads at night to avoid traffic congestion. 7.6 Environmental Impact: Mitigation/Compensatory Measures Mitigation/compensatory measures specified or stipulated in the EIS are designed to limit the environmental impacts of the development. They are measures that must be implemented and this should be reflected in the phraseology of the EIS. If there is room for doubt over whether the EIS makes the mitigation/ compensatory measure obligatory or not, this should be clarified or reinforced by a planning condition, or clarification should be sought at an earlier stage by the planning authority. A condition in relation to monitoring the implementation of mitigation measures specified in the EIS should also be considered. 7.7 Environmental Monitoring General environmental monitoring conditions should be avoided, apart from where specific requirements in relation to environmental matters are part of the planning permission. Effective monitoring is necessary to provide evidence of compliance with environmental conditions, such as noise limits or wildlife considerations. An agreed monitoring/management programme, funded by the developer, can provide reassurance for both the planning authority and any concerned third parties that these conditions are being observed in the day-to-day operation of the wind energy development, and that in the event of a breach, appropriate remedial action will be taken. Such a programme would be particularly relevant in the initial operating period of the development, within the first 2 years, possibly with provision for further monitoring if 82lanning Guidelines
- Planning Guidelines the problem persists. The environmental monitoring can be carried out either by agreed independent specialists, or by the planning authority at the developer’s expense. 7.8 Construction phase It may be necessary in particular circumstances to attach conditions with regard to the following matters arising during the construction stage of the wind energy project: • Hours of construction; • Monitoring and supervision of construction phase by qualified and experienced geo-technical engineer(s) and/or by qualified and experienced ecologist(s), where deemed necessary; • Construction traffic movements, including vehicle types and routes in relation to removal of excavated material, and importation of materials, turbine parts and equipment, • Ground disturbance during construction; • Management and treatment of rock and soil excavated during construction work; • Storage and transfer of material, including use of bounded storage areas for use during construction and operational phases to avoid any pollution of surface or ground waters; • Impacts on surface and groundwater drainage; • Reinstatement of the site where construction works result in ground disturbance/surface damage or erosion; and • Removal of ancillary construction equipment including site offices, portakabins and portable toilets. 7.9 Borrow Pits and Quarrying Conditions may be required in relation to the excavation of rock and soil, and the development and location of borrow pits 83
- associated with wind energy development proposals. Conditions may also address the issues of avoidance and remediation of land slippage, where appropriate. Where land slippage occurs the local authority should be notified and all works suspended until the matter is rectified. 7.10 Roads and Access Tracks Conditions may be necessary in relation to design, width, surface materials, construction details, silt traps, associated earthworks (such as cutting or embankments), and routing of tracks within the site, not only to minimise visibility, but also with regard to erosion and minimising impact on habitat. 7.11 Ancillary Structures and Equipment Ideally, matters regarding associated structures and equipment should be considered at pre-planning application stage as part of an overall design solution for the site and subsequently included in the planning application. Where that does not happen, conditions may need to address siting, design and finishes of ancillary structures including sub-stations, transformers and service buildings. In general, conditions requiring the location of transformers within turbines or outside the tower base should be informed by the landscape evaluation and the health and safety criteria. Fencing should be kept to a minimum but may be necessary in relation to storage of materials and security. Where fencing is required, conditions may be necessary to address issues regarding routing, rights of way and finish. 7.12 Connection to Electricity Distributors Where the works required to connect the wind energy development to the national grid do not form part of the planning application, or where the connection to the grid does not constitute exempted development14, it will be necessary to submit a separate planning application to the planning authority. It is not appropriate to attach 84lanning Guidelines 14 14 Planning and Development Regulations, 2001, Schedule 2, Part 1 Classes 26-29 Exempted Development by Statutory Undertakers of any electricity undertaking.
Source Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Wind Energy Development Guidelines (June 2006) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.