Transboundary Environmental Public Consultation – Morecambe Offshore Windfarm

Overview

Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Public Consultation – Morecambe Offshore Windfarm development, located approximately 30km from the Lancashire coastline

Summary

On 16 November 2022, the Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage, received a transboundary EIA screening statement in relation to the proposed Morecambe Offshore Windfarm development, which was conducted on behalf of the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State at the pre-application stage. The transboundary screening process identified potential transboundary issues for Ireland relating to impacts on commercial fishing and shipping and navigation.

Subsequently, on 26 July 2024, the United Kingdom’s Planning Inspectorate (PINS) wrote to the Minister to invite Ireland to participate in transboundary EIA consultation as the Examining Authority had accepted 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 – 2024.

Additionally, following the acceptance of the planning application a second transboundary screening was conducted on 26 July 2024. This transboundary screening process concluded that potential transboundary environmental impacts on Ireland were not likely to be significant. However, in keeping with the procedures for similar developments and the initial screening results, a public consultation is being held to give members of the public an opportunity to make submissions on the proposed development.

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 consultation, including with members of the public, 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.

As noted above, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage recently received information in the form of a letter of notification dated 26 July 2024 from PINS, relating to an application for development consent for the proposed Morecambe Offshore Windfarm development that is now in the pre-examination stage of their development consent order process.

The proposed development is comprised of (but not limited to) an offshore wind farm array located in the east Irish Sea approximately 30km from the Lancashire coastline.

The UK Secretary of State has determined that the proposed development requires an environmental impact assessment and consequently they have conducted a transboundary EIA screening. The initial transboundary screening exercise determined that the proposed development may have transboundary environmental impacts in Ireland that included significant impacts on commercial fishing and shipping and navigation. The second transboundary screening concluded that the transboundary environmental impacts would not be significant impacts.

Screening Assessment

The letter of 26 July 2024 provides details of where further information on the proposed development can be found on the 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 PINS, is available to view on its website at:

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010121/documents

Members of the public may wish to visit the Dublin City Council public consultation portal to view correspondence from the PINS, digital copies of extracts from the applicant’s Environmental Statement; associated documents and links provided by the 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/morecambe-offshore-windfarm

The public consultation notice should also be available to view in the office of the Planning Section of each local 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 local authority nationwide. Links to all documents will also be made available online by each local authority. Please contact your local authority for further details.

Making submissions or observations

Submissions or observations should be made directly to the Planning Inspectorate UK at Morecambeoffshorewindproject@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Deadlines for submissions or observations

The public consultation period is open from 04^th September 2024. The deadline for the receipt of written submissions or observations under this transboundary consultation process is close of business on 09^th October 2024 at the latest. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will not accept submissions or observations in relation to the project.

Documents

Documents are available below.

Terms and Conditions

Not applicable – submissions are made directly to the competent authority, therefore neither the Department nor any planning authorities will be receiving submissions. On that basis, there should be no GDPR concerns

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: greg.bryan@dublincity.ie