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 30 April 2024 from PINS, relating to an application for development consent for the proposed Mona Offshore Wind Project 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, 28.2km from the Anglesey coastline; offshore transmission infrastructure extending to landfall on the north coast of Wales; and an onshore transmission infrastructure extending from landfall to the onshore National Grid substation at Bodelwyddan.
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. This screening exercise determined that the proposed development may have transboundary environmental impacts in Ireland. The transboundary issues screened in include significant impacts on shipping and navigation.
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:
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.
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.
Making a submission or observation
A nationwide public consultation will open for submissions on Wednesday, 12th June 2024 to close of business on 17th July 2024 at the latest. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will not accept submissions or observations in relation to the project..
Submissions or observations should be made directly to Planning Inspectorate UK at Monaoffshorewindproject@planninginspectorate.gov.uk