§ Mr. John MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) wind farms and (b) propellors (i) have been constructed, (ii) have been approved and (iii) are pending.
§ Mr. Tim SmithThere are two wind farms containing a total of four turbines currently in operation in Northern Ireland. One further wind farm has been approved, containing 26 turbines. Five applications for wind farms containing a total of 58 turbines are currently under consideration.
§ Mr. John MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his policy as regards the construction of wind farms; and what circulars he has issued to local planning authorities.
§ Mr. Tim SmithThe Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is the planning authority in Northern Ireland. Its policy for the construction of wind farms is set out on pages 115 and 116 of the policy document "A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland", which was published in September 1993. A copy is available in the Library.