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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Solar energy

    Topics:
    • Environmental Advice for Planning, 
    • Planning consultation development types

    Advice on the key environmental impacts from and documents/information required for the construction and operation of solar energy installations

    Key environmental considerations

    The key environmental impacts due to the construction and operation of solar energy installations and associated grid connections include:

    Development footprint

    • habitat damage (including bogs, heathlands and low nutrient grasslands)
    • species disturbance and/or displacement
    • modification to waterways including alterations to existing crossing structures such as culverts within the site

    Pollution of water environment

    • run-off contaminated by chemicals used for routine maintenance effecting water quality and aquatic ecosystems and fisheries

    Landscape and visual

    • perceived change to the landscape character and visual amenity of the area
    • degradation of the scenic value/landscape setting of designated areas

    DAERA normally only provides advice on the impacts of developments located within the boundary of the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site or its distinctive Landscape Setting or for major/regionally significant Wind Farm developments located within the boundary of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

    Documents/information required

    The following lists the documents/information that may be required to ensure that DAERA can provide a substantive response:

    Development details

    • site access arrangements
    • position of all infrastructure
    • drainage Plan

    Surveys/assessments

    Ecological e.g

    • habitat
    • priority/protected species

    The need for surveys should be informed by a preliminary ecological assessment and biological records check. The NI Biodiversity Checklist can be used for the initial assessment process.

    Landscape and visual impact

    DAERA normally only provides advice on the impacts of developments located within the boundary of the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site or its distinctive Landscape Setting or for major/regionally significant Wind Farm developments located within the boundary of an Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB).

    Mitigation/compensation

    • Pollution Prevention Measures:
      • during construction
      • during routine maintenance
    • Outline habitat management/mitigation plan
    • Species mitigation

    Further Guidance

    Solar Farms Standing Advice

    Pollution Prevention Guidance Standing Advice

    Drainage plan

    Ecological Surveys

    Related content

    • Anaerobic Digestion Facilities
    • Cemeteries
    • Extractive industry
    • Forestry Planning Interactive Maps
    • Housing, offices and commercial
    • Intensive Agriculture
    • Standing Advice
    • Wind energy installations
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