Abbreviated form of legal source
- Planning and Development Act
- Planning and Development Regulations
Description of the process
A pre-application consultation with the planning authorities is foreseen, although it is not obligatory (sec. 247 Planning and Development Act). The pre-application consultation purpose is to engage the plant developer and the planning authority into a discussion regarding the development of the project and to offer recommendations.
Prior to the pre-application consultation, onshore wind project with a capacity above 50 MW or consisting of more than 25 turbines can submit an application to An Bord Pleanála, so as their projects can be classified as Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) (Schedule 7 of the Planning and Development Regulations). SID pre-application consultation also includes regular meetings between the project developer and An Bord Pleanála, where the necessity of classifying the project as a SID is dicussed. After careful consideration, An Bord Pleanála decides if the project should be classified as SID. If this is not the case, the project developer can continue with the pre-application consultation described above. If the project is classified as a SID, then the application for a planning permission (next step in the licensing procedure) shall be submitted to An Bord Pleanála (sec. 37A Planning and Development Act).
For new offshore wind energy projects, plant developers will need to apply to DECC for a conditional Maritime Area Consent (MAC) under the new Marine Planning and Development Management Bill. Upon the definition of MAC, the project developer is expected to enter into pre-application consultation with An Bord Pleanála.
Competent authority
- Local Planning Authorities
- An Bord Pleanála