Transboundary Environmental Public Consultation –Awel y Mȏr Offshore Windfarm, approximately 10km off the coast of North Wales

Overview

Summary

On 24 September 2021, the Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage, received a transboundary EIA screening statement in relation to the proposed Awel y Mȏr Offshore Windfarm, which was conducted on behalf of the Secretary of State at the pre-application stage. The transboundary screening process identified potential transboundary issues for Ireland relating to impacts on fish, shellfish, marine mammals and sea birds and commercial shipping. Subsequently, on 3 August 2022, the United Kingdom’s Planning Inspectorate wrote to the Minister to invite Ireland to participate in transboundary EIA consultation as the Secretary of State had received the planning application for the proposed development. This public consultation is being held in accordance with article 132 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 – 2022.

Why is this consultation being undertaken?

In accordance with the provisions of the 1991 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (“the Espoo Convention”), transboundary States are required to engage in transboundary public consultation in respect of projects likely to have significant effects on the environment of neighbouring States as part of the environmental impact assessment of a proposed development. For this purpose, the transboundary State in whose territory the project is intended to be carried out is required to send to the affected State, no later than when informing its own public, a description of the project and any available information on its possible transboundary impact.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage recently received information in the form of a letter of notification dated 3 August 2022 from the United Kingdom’s Planning Inspectorate (PINS) relating to an application for development consent (planning application) for the proposed Awel y Mȏr Offshore Windfarm, which will be situated approximately 10km off the coast of North Wales.

The letter from the UK’s PINS states that the Secretary of State has received an application in respect of the proposed development. Awel y Mȏr Offshore Wind Farm is a project being developed by RWE Renewables (RWE) to the west of the existing Gwynt y Mȏr Offshore Wind Farm. It is located approximately 10.5km off the Welsh coast in the Irish Sea, with maximum total area of 88km and will comprise up to 91 wind turbine generators.   

The proposed development will be comprised of (but not limited to): an offshore wind farm, including wind turbine generators and associated foundations, wind measurement equipment and array cables; transmission infrastructure, including offshore substations and associated foundations, offshore and onshore export cables (underground), including associated transition bays and jointing bays, an onshore substation, and connection infrastructure into the National Grid.

The proposed development has been identified as a project within the scope of paragraph 2 of Appendix 1 to the Espoo Convention as implemented by the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (“the EIA Regulations”) (UK legislation).

Consequently, the Secretary of State  conducted a transboundary EIA screening. This screening exercise determined that the proposed development may have transboundary environmental impacts in this State. The transboundary issues screened in include impacts on fish and shellfish, marine mammals and sea birds, and commercial shipping.

Screening Assessment

The letter of 3 August 2022 provides details of where further information on the proposed development can be found on the UK’s PINS website – see also link provided under “How to participate” below.

How to Participate

All documentation related to the development consent application for the proposed development, including additional or amending documentation accepted at the discretion of the UK’s PINS, is available to view on the website of the UK’s PINS at:

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/wales/awel-y-mor-offshore-wind-farm/?ipcsection=docs

 Due to the voluminous nature of an application for development at this scale, the Applicant has also produced a document called ‘Guide to the Application’, summarising the structure of the application for development consent for the Proposed Development. This document is available from:

Guide to the Application

Members of the public may wish to visit the Dublin City Council public consultation portal to view correspondence from the UK’s PINS, digital copies of extracts from the applicant’s Environmental Statement; associated documents and links provided by the UK’s PINS to the full Environmental Statement and all other documentation relating to the development consent application for the proposed development.

https://consultation.dublincity.ie/planning/awel-y-mor-offshore-windfarm

The public consultation notice is also available to view in the office of the Planning Section of each planning authority nationwide during office hours, by appointment if required.

A copy of these documents are available for inspection, or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, during office hours at the office of each planning authority nationwide. 

Making submissions or observations

Submissions or observations should be made directly to the Planning Inspectorate UK at: [email protected]  

Deadlines for submissions or observations

The public consultation period is open from Friday the 30 September 2022. The deadline for the receipt of written submissions or observations by the Planning Inspectorate under this transboundary consultation process is close of business on Friday 4 November 2022 at the latest. The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government will not accept submissions or observations in relation to the project.

Contact details for submissions or observations

Any queries in relation to this transboundary EIA consultation should be directed to Dublin City Council. See contact details below:

Greg Bryan, Administrative Officer

Planning & Property Development Department, Planning Administration,

Block4, Floor 3, Civic Offices,

Wood Quay, Dublin 8

T: 01-2223108 E:  [email protected]

PRESS NOTICE

Documents

Documents are available below: