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“ANTI-WIND” COUNTY DEVELOPMENT plans, that rezone land allocated for onshore wind farm projects, are increasing the risk that Ireland’s renewable energy targets will be missed, the industry has claimed.
Wind Energy Ireland, a renewable energy lobby group, are calling on An Bord Pleanála (ABP) to make decisions in the context of national climate and energy security commitments and pleading with local authorities to identify suitable land for wind farms.
Noel Cunniffe, CEO of the group, fears that the lack of progress on these applications could result in Ireland missing its 2030 onshore wind farm targets. Currently, he said, Ireland is on track at meeting this goal in 2044.
He is calling on Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien to amend his action plan so that recruiting people with the expertise to quickly assess applications for renewable energy infrastructure to ABP is prioritised.
The group says that development plans in counties such as Laois and Westmeath are either rezoning land to prevent wind farms from being constructed or allocating land in unsuitable areas, such as in close proximity to homes or in areas with very little wind.
Justin Moran, the group’s external affairs executive, told The Journal that the group wants to see county planners and developers strike a better balance in local zoning plans.
While the lobby respect that county development plans hold “critical weight” in ABP’s decisions, Moran said that the national planning authority should also be required to uphold national climate and energy security commitments.
ABP said it cannot comment on the reasons why it chooses to reject applications.
Disputes over these issues have previously reached the High Court in attempts to overturn rejections.
A letter penned by the lobby organisation in 2017 highlighted how the space provided to developers in Co Laois’ zoning plan was significantly smaller compared to the previously drawings.
These spaces have since gotten even smaller in Laois, resulting in higher rejection rates across the county – including one case which was welcomed by Fianna Fáil TD for the area and Government junior minister Seán Fleming last month.
Fleming said while he supports renewable energy, and has approved of plans in the county in the past, the area included in the planning application for the wind farm in Co Laois was “not suitable”.
“This is good news for the local communities in the area and I would ask the developers to pack up their bags, go away and not contest this decision or reapply,” he said.
Moran stressed the need for local authorities to engage with developers so both parties can identify suitable locations for wind farms. The Journal has asked Laois County Council for comment.
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien earlier this month sought approval from cabinet to increase the number of planners in An Bord Pleanála (ABP) and announced an action plan aiming to increase the expertise within the authority.
The lobby group has said while it welcomes these changes, priority should be given to increase the number of planners with an expertise in renewable energy infrastructure with the national planning authority.
It argues this is particularly necessary given that only one planning application for a wind farm was approved during the third quarter of this year. ABP told The Journal that just two applications were made for wind farms during the third quarter, however.
Moran said that the pipeline of projects could increase as there are several now at the pre-planning stage.
He pointed to a backlog of 31 onshore wind applications which are currently seeking planning – representing approximately 18% of the required megawatts needed to meet Ireland’s renewable energy targets.
Moran added that any assessment carried out by ABP must be done “thoroughly and robustly”.
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Is this a game of “Simon says”?
@Spartacus Ireland: sssimon ssayssss
@Spartacus Ireland: Out out out I say simon
@james rowan: yes he is really taking us for fools and that we love him! Too big for his boots and hopefully a big fall for smarmy Simon
@Spartacus Ireland: it’s definitely an issue of control
@Spartacus Ireland: Tuesday math quiz
@Spartacus Ireland: One of these Fridays soon he will be unemployed
@james rowan: when an adult resorts to infantile name calling, you are a child!
@FlipBip: What are you insssssinuating?
@Fidgenti: Stupid app won’t let me say it
This teasing is quite off-putting. I get they have legislation they want to pass but why are they drip feeding vague information to us on it. “We’ve agreed a date” “it’ll be in 2024″ “it’ll be on a friday”. Just say nothing till it’s announced properly please!
@John K: this is what happens when people on their 30s run the country….a general election is treated as a playschool game ……he will grow out of it when hes an adult
@and the hit’s just keep coming: what’s the cut off for being an adult? Has the goal post changed somewhere?
@and the hit’s just keep coming: He’s on Trent with many employees who are infantilizing their staff.
Sign of the times.
What even is this?
A puzzle?
Waiting until the approval rating goes to a certain number?
This country will never change,I wonder if it can.
@Andrew Martin Clavin: agreed.
What a complete gobs#@te
@sean weir: have a look in the opposite direction she’s no better.
@sean weir: he’s no more than a little dweeb
@mark sheehan:
Your both right.
Let’s vote them out people!
@Lance Taylor: r we all in the same boat, realy…
@A W: yes if we all vote for someone else they will be gone.
@Lance Taylor:
They are bad but it’s the opposition’s job to convince a majority that they can do better.
Most would agree the government hasn’t done their job well but it seems not enough think the opposition can do better.
@P. J.: just take the gamble FFS otherwise we will never know.
@P. J.: yes as loathsome as sinn fein are I would prefer them to have a shot.
@Lance Taylor: unfortunate choice of words ‘Lance’
@Lance Taylor: And who do you think will go in with SF? No thanks.
@Lance Taylor: absolutely
Dear god. Well, I think there’s one thing we can all agree on, no matter what our political persuasion: Simon Harris is an insufferable little bollix.
Does he think he’s being funny? Talking to us like 5 year olds. Serious substitute teacher vibes off this fella.
This lad is an utter fo#l. A boy with batteries powering him.
There’s 5 of them in November, take away the 1st and the 8th then there’s 3. Up there with his Covid-19 comment.
Childish
This endless nods ,winks, and general tomfoolery is indicative of the contempt with which FFG regard the average voter. Do they not get how infuriating it is? Have fhdy no self awareness at all?
@Declan Young: spit on, total contempt
Ah spit it out Simon for god sake, this cloak and dagger stuff is getting to be a little disrespectful, Is he giving out a prize or something for whoever guesses the date???
This man probably enjoys the smell of his own farts.
@Gerard Martin: Don’t pretend you don’t.. because we all do to some degree, that’s just a scientific fact.. and there’s a very good reason why…
@Gerard Martin: Farts are like children, you like your own but you can’t stand anyone else’s!!
When we get a few more Sinn Fein scandals up and running and then we will have the date..
They are treating us like children. Give the people our democratic right. All they care about is staying on the gravy train
And we thought the last taoiseach was bad for sound bites
Latest speculation that it can’t clash with the Late Late Puke Show, does everything now dissolve into farce?
If only we had an opposition we could vote for
@Gerry Kelly:
Bullseye
Such a nasty person hopefully they’ll suffer big at the ballot box for ignoring the Irish people for the past four years and for doing absolutely nothing for the crisis in housing health and cost of living
@Mario Hennessy:
Not exactly looking likely
Who cares, boring at this stage
@Margaret Deacon: wow.
@Margaret Deacon: just wow! I’m astonished as this is our future
Simon doesn’t say . Again .
This election won’t change much, six months ago, SF had a chance but they blew it, people won’t vote for them to elect them as majority, and the other communist loonies doesn’t stand a chance, they may make a good opposition but for help us if they get in power. What we are left is the lesser odours excrement, FG and FF. Unless someone has a better option?
@J Ven: I’m starting to think some people vote for FF and FG just so they can moan about them for the next 5 years.
@J Ven: why don’t we hold ffg to the same standard as sf?
@J Ven: We need FFG gone, the current and three previous governments were FF or FG led and the lack of planning on everything from homelessness to infrastructure in that time period has the country in the mess it’s currently in. FFG don’t have time to govern properly because they’re always chasing their tails.
Literally looking power hungry at this stage. He is just treating the electorate like idiots. They are so out of touch with reality. This is not a reality show, grow up and act like a leader and announce a date. The element of surprise is all gone weeks ago after seeing all the fake election posters disguised as local meetings popping up around the constituencies.
Seems like the green’s will get three way so…. think Roderick demanded Friday 29th November
Simon Harris , tell us the date of General Election out straight , like a man . Stop effing around . All you’re doing is pissing people off .
For a person that has always voted for your party I think it’s pathetic the way that you’re treating with drip feed news about the date of the election first you told us it was going to be held in 2025 but now you have changed your mind And so have I as well
Simon, you little tease.
The Toy Show is on December 6th … FFG will be all wrapped up on the couch with popcorn that night.
What’s he playing at
Total anarchy would be much better than any of these parties.
Wont be voting for ff or fg. So many will and are so forgiven of what these parties have done to our economy. And future generations will pay for it
@martin finnegan: the economy is literally booming and is the envy of all of Europe?
If the country is so bad why are so many Irish ppl coming back from abroad?
Hopefully the electorate of Wicklow will do us all a favour and rid us of this gobs****
My 4yr old granddaughter has released a similar statement. “I know something you don’t, nah nah, na na nah”
It’s like he’s mocking the people.
Yeah December Friday the 13th… could turn into a horror show..
Childish.
Jesus the Tory boy went and now we have a latter day BOSCO who pops up when their’s a camera in the area,a right little pup.
Playing games. Such contempt for the people of Ireland.
It’s friday, friday, gotta get down on friday. Everybody’s looking forward to the weekend, weekend.
Why not Saturday instead
Tells you how inept they are that they can,t agree on a date.
Pick a Friday and let’s get on with it ffs!
save the children from israeli terrorists
Sadly they will get voted back in, at least more gaffs and laughs along the way.
It couldn’t happen on a sathurday. Now parents might have to take a day off work to mind kids if schools are been used as voting centres.
They better not have it on Toy Show night.
S illies… not matter who we vote for, Germany will still take ours.
Would like to know who the spy is before elections Simon.
After yet another budget that dismissed the tax paying people, FG won’t be getting my vote.
Now’s the Irish nations chance to remove ff and fg. Don’t vote them back in again. Unfortunately that leaves sf but they might just might reform this country and fix this mess. If not then we are fooked
Won’t make any difference.
Just a different cheek of the same arse.
have your say