3.1 Climate Action
It is noted that Climate Action is one of the cross-cutting principles of the Draft Plan to support a transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society. The Chapter also includes key action areas and the integration of specific climate adaptation and mitigation objectives into each chapter where appropriate. The reference to the RSES Key Principle of Climate Action, and the associated RSOs, is acknowledged. The terminology used at Section 3.2.3.5 should be changed to ‘RSO’ in place of ‘RPO’.
The use of defined ‘Key Action Areas’ are positive additions to the Plan. This includes actions relating to sustainable transport, built environment, land use and energy. In this regard, the Council’s attention is drawn to RPO 3.6 and the preceding paragraphs of the RSES which outline the requirement of Development Plans to assess their impact on carbon reduction targets. To this end, it should be noted that EMRA is leading an ESPON EU research project (QGasSP) to identify a robust method for quantifying the relative GHG impacts of alternative spatial planning policies, the outputs of which are anticipated in 2021, and should inform the Draft Plan as it progresses. The Eastern and Midlands Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) also play a key role in assisting and supporting the respective local authorities in the region in implementing their climate action strategies and have organised training workshops to help inform potential measures, policies and regulatory tools for the preparation of the Draft Development Plans. It is understood that the forthcoming Development Plan Guidelines will provide similar guidance in this area. Notwithstanding this, the Council are reminded of their obligations to comply with Ministerial Guidelines including the Interim Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Statutory Plans, Renewable Energy and Climate Change published in 2017.
In addition to the above, the Council will be aware of the recent Circular Letter LGSM01-2021, issued on 10th February 2021, regarding Local Authority Decarbonisation Zones. The Regional Assembly form part of the established steering group, aimed at structuring and guiding the response of the local government sector in identifying Decarbonisation Zones. In line with the contents of the aforementioned Circular Letter, it is recommended that the Draft Plan provide information to enable the development of a Decarbonising Zone in County Laois, including the location and details of same. The Assembly notes that the Portlaoise Demonstrator Project is specifically referenced as part of the Circular Letter.
The attention of the Council is also brought to the Climate Action Fund made available under the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, and, in order to be availed of, requires policy support. In this regard, the Council may wish to strengthen the ‘Local County Targets’ of each action area, as part of the finalised Plan.
3.2 Energy
The Assembly welcome this dedicated section to energy within the Draft Plan, which outlines energy generation relating to renewable and non-renewable energy sources (electricity and gas), and Energy Efficiency and Energy Performance for Buildings.
3.2.1 Wind Energy
The Assembly notes the suite of policies and considerations related to wind energy contained at Sections 3.4, 3.5.5, DM RE 2 and Appendix Five of the Draft Plan. Prior to the finalisation of the Draft Plan, including all related policy and objectives, such as those contained as part of this section and also those contained at Appendix Five, it is recommended that the Council ensure that the Plan has full regard to the provisions of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006, the Interim Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Statutory Plans, Renewable Energy and Climate Change, and the Draft Revised Wind Energy Guidelines published in December 2019, which are expected to be finalised in the near future.
3.2.2 Non-Renewable Energy: Electricity and Gas
The Assembly notes the inclusion of Policy Objective NRE 2 that supports the Laois-Kilkenny Reinforcement Project. This is in keeping with RPO 10.23 of the RSES which supports EirGrid’s Implementation Plan 2017-2022 and Transmission Development Plan (TDP) 2016, and any subsequent plans prepared during the lifetime of the RSES, that facilitate the timely delivery of major investment projects. This includes the Laois- Kilkenny Reinforcement Project which will strengthen the network in large parts of the Midlands, provide additional capacity for potential demand growth in the wider region and strengthen the Region’s transmission network by improving security and quality of supply and ensuring there is the potential for demand growth.