MKO have prepared Section 5 applications seeking declarations of exempted development in relation to substation upgrade and improvement works on behalf of Eirgrid. In such instances the Section 5 applications involved preliminary discussions/meetings with the relevant planning authorities as well as the preparation of relevant documentation to allow the Planning Authority to issue a declaration of exempted development. The documentation submitted included detailed Exempted Development Screening Reports (reviewing the legislative and planning context as well as providing a detailed description of the works) and Ecological Assessment and Article 6(3) Screening reports as well as all required mapping. In these instances, it would be open to the Planning Authority (should any uncertainty arise) to request further information or refer the matter to An Bord Pleanála to consider the matter. In the cases of the Section 5 Eirgrid projects managed by MKO, however, the planning authorities issued declarations confirming the exempted status of the proposed works without recourse to either further information requests or referring the matter to An Bord Pleanála.
