elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 10: Development Management Guidelines and Standards
In particular, the following matters will be considered by the Council in the assessment of applications for
wind farms.
1. The likely visual impact of the proposal.
2. The likely noise that will be generated by the proposed wind farm (both the mechanical noise
from the turbines and aerodynamic noise from the blades).
3. The likelihood of electromagnetic interference with radio transmissions or with
telecommunications.
4. The ecology, archaeology, geology and heritage of the area in which the wind farm is proposed.
5. The safety issues associated with the proposal including matters such as clearance from overhead
power lines, the location of the site in proximity to roads and so forth.
6. The potential impact of the proposal on surrounding land uses.
7. The impact of the construction of the wind farm on access roads and local amenity.
Any proposals for the development of wind power will need to be supported by both a technical and an
environmental statement prepared to an acceptable standard. In this regard applicant’s applying for wind
energy developments are advised to consult with the Planning Authority before detailed proposals are
drawn up. Consultations should also be held with the appropriate bodies, such as Department of Transport,
Energy and Communications, the Irish Energy Centre and the ESB.
The following are some of the conditions which will apply where Wind Farms are permitted:
• Blades must rotate in the same direction
• Layout should be compact
• Solid towers should be used
• All grid connection within the site to be underground.
• Limited fencing to be permitted on any part of the site
• Access roads to be unsurfaced, where possible
• Structures must be decommissioned at the life expiry of the farm and the site reinstated
Conditions requiring bonds to ensure satisfactory completion will be attached to permissions.
10.25.1 Micro Renewables
Micro-renewables is the term used to describe a non-commercial renewable energy development, which
provides heat and/or electricity to a single end user (e.g. a single dwelling house, office or community
facility). While micro-renewables generally refer to the actual renewable energy technology/ development,
micro-generation refers to the production of heat (less than 45 kilowatt capacity) and/or electricity (less
than 50kW capacity) from zero or low carbon source technologies. Micro- renewables come in the
following different forms.
• Micro Wind Energy
• Heat Pumps
• Solar
• Small scale biomass
• Small scale hydroelectricity
The council shall endevour to support the utilisation of these technologies particularly considering the
current backdrop of increasing energy prices. The power generated and associated carbon emission
reductions per turbine are relatively small, but cumulative benefits could be significant. Proposed microrenewable
energies shall have regard to the guidelines set out in the Micro-Renewables Consultation
Paper 2006 by the DoEHLG.
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 146