Planning Policy Statement 18: Renewable Energy

Issued by: Department of the Environment

Status: Final

Date: August 2009

The PPS aims to facilitate the siting of renewable energy generating facilities in appropriate locations within the built and natural environments.

The policy is accompanied by a Best Practice Guidance document which provides technical information and guidance on a range of renewable energy technologies as well as information about approaches to Passive Solar Design (PSD).

The policy supersedes Policy PSU 12 of the Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland.

PPS 18 is also accompanied by Supplementary Planning Guidance 'Wind Energy Development in Northern Ireland's Landscapes (August 2010). This document, published by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, provides broad, strategic guidance in relation to the visual and landscape impacts of wind energy development. It includes general guidance on sitting and design within Northern Ireland's landscapes and advice on the landscape assessment of proposed developments.

Hard copies of both documents will shortly be available from Divisional and Sub-Divisional Planning Offices

A Summary of Consultation Responses ( 118 KB) detailing some of the main issues to emerge from the public consultation on the draft document has also been produced and is available for download.

Both documents can be ordered by telephone, by text phone, or in writing

By telephone: (028) 9025 4877

By text phone: (028) 9054 0642

In writing: Planning and Environmental Policy Group, Calvert House, 23 Castle Place, BELFAST, BT1 1FY