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Northern Ireland Office

Answer

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the grid references are of the location of the landfall for the proposed offshore wind farm at Tunes Plateau; if Coleraine, Limavady, Londonderry and Moyle local authorities will be consulted on the proposed development of the wind farm; and if he will make a statement on the planning process for the proposed development. [87305] Mr. Pearson: It is not possible to provide grid references of the location of any landfall for the Tunes Plateau offshore wind farm because a wide range of potential options are still being considered from an engineering and environmental perspective. No decision on any potential landfall can be made until completion of the following studies: NIE's wind farm connection feasibility studies; Ornithology and ecology studies (covering both marine and onshore elements); Geotechnical and geophysical studies (covering both marine and onshore elements); Marine and onshore archaeology studies; and Coastal processes and seabed assessments. Coleraine, Limavady, Londonderry and Moyle councils were fully consulted during completion of the scope for the environmental impact assessment and will continue to be consulted as further information about the impact of this project comes to light. Any developments relating to wind farms which require planning permission will be processed in accordance with current planning procedures; and policies in relation to public advertisement, neighbour notification and council consultation will apply. To date the Department of the Environment has not received such an application.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

87305; 396 c729W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Electricity generation Northern Ireland Planning permission Planning Location Wind power

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk