In general, the plan should note the many welcome aspects of solar power and commit to solar energy playing a large role in energy generation in Fingal.
The draft Plan includes the following welcome statement in 14.2.3:
- “Energy-saving and energy generating technologies, such as roof top solar panels and geothermal energy, shall be incorporated at the design stage where possible.”
14.21.3 gives some further effect to this:
- “In order to comply with the policies set out in Section 5.5.2 “Resilient Built Environment” and Section 5.5.3 “Energy” of Chapter 5, proposals for all new developments in excess of 30 or more residential units or 1,000 sq. m. or more of commercial floor space, or as or as otherwise required by the Planning Authority, will be required to include a Climate Action Energy Statement.”
30 residential units is a very high threshold. What is the obligation for smaller developments? I suggest that any development above a de minimis threshold should have some level of an assessment obligation.