Title: Identifying salient issues in the assessment of solar energy developments in Ireland

Authors: Caitlin Guerra; Mick Lennon

Addresses: School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland ' School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

Abstract: This paper reports on findings from an exploratory examination of planning decisions for solar energy developments in the Republic of Ireland. This involved a content analysis approach of planning assessment reports that was informed by the SPEED framework developed by Stephens et al. (2008). The paper identifies the issues considered most important by local planning authorities and the national Irish planning appeals board in making their decisions. While some overlap is identified, it is also determined that a number of considerations are prioritised differently. Informed by this analysis, a number of recommendations are made on how to ensure a more coherent assessment approach to decision making.

Keywords: SPEED framework; planning assessment; local planning; energy policy; solar energy development; SED; solar farms; assessment; planning policy; Ireland.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEPDM.2021.119512

International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, 2021 Vol.3 No.1, pp.1 - 15

Accepted: 03 Aug 2020
Published online: 08 Dec 2021 *

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