Wind Farms
Planning permission is required for all wind farms. Details on domestic and specific wind turbine applications can be found on our Wind Turbines page.
Applying for planning permission
Planning applications for wind turbines should be submitted on the P1 form. The application must also be accompanied by the appropriate maps and drawings. Planning application forms, fees and explanatory notes can be found on our application forms and fees page.
Applications for wind farms that will be connected to the National Grid are dealt with by the Renewable Energy team in Planning Service Headquarters.
Applications for developments ancillary to windfarms, such as meteorological masts or overhead lines will also be dealt with at Headquarters.
| Post | Renewable Energy Team Strategic Projects and Design Division Planning Service Headquarters Millennium House 17-25 Great Victoria Street Belfast BT2 7BN |
|---|---|
| Fax | (028) 9041 6802 |
| planning.service.hq@nics.gov.uk |
Environmental Impact Assessment
If an Environmental Statement is not submitted voluntarily with an application, most wind farm applications will require that the Dept. carry out an Environmental Impact Determination under Schedule 2 (3) (j) of The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 
as amended by The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008.
Most applications for single large turbines or wind farms that produce energy for the National Grid need to be accompanied by an Environmental Statement. Each application will be judged on its own merits and additional information will depend on the individual circumstances, in accordance with planning policy and other material considerations.
Associated documentation
Further information is available on the Wind Farm Development Information Leaflet. A list of current and proposed wind farms in Northern Ireland is also available.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Wind Farm Development Information Leaflet |  44 KB |
| Current and Proposed Wind Farms in Northern Ireland | 57 KB |
| Wind Farm Locations and Applications | 173 KB |
Related Policies
- Planning Policy Statement 18 (Draft) - Renewable Energy
- Regional Development Strategy (RDS) for NI 2025 – SPG-ENV 5, SPG ENV 6
- Planning Strategy for Rural NI PSU 12
- Planning Policy Statement 1 – General Principles
- Planning Policy Statement 2 – Planning & Nature Conservation
- Planning Policy Statement 3 (Revised) – Access, Movement & Parking
- Planning Policy Statement 6 – Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage
- Relevant Development Plans
- DCAN 15
- Planning Policy Statement 14 (Draft) – Sustainable Development in the Countryside in relation to ancillary buildings & structures elsewhere in the countryside.
- Coastal policies in the RDS and Planning Strategy for Rural N Ireland (where applicable)
Off-shore wind farm proposals
Planning Service has no jurisdiction over off-shore wind farm proposals. This is the reponsibilitity of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, www.detini.gov.uk .
On-shore ancillary development to serve off-shore windfarms (e.g. powerlines or substations) will be dealt with by Planning Service.