Mallon announces planning approval for Lough Neagh sand extraction

Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon has today announced her decision to approve the planning application for the extraction of sand from Lough Neagh subject to a number of conditions.

This follows the Minister’s careful consideration of the Planning Appeals Commission’s (PAC) report on the Public Local Inquiry which was held in June 2018. The proposal is located in the north west corner of the Lough which is a designated Special Protection Area (SPA), Ramsar site and Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).

Minister Mallon said:

“This approval was a finely balanced decision where I had to weigh up the various benefits with the potential for harm to the designation features of the Lough.  I carefully considered both the findings of the independent Public Inquiry and further representations received from interested parties alongside the recommendations of my planning officials. The PAC report also recommended that planning permission should be granted.

“I am an advocate for protection of the environment, and particularly a special one such as Lough Neagh. Taking account of all of the comments made, I have come to the view that there will be no adverse effect caused by the development on the Lough in terms of its integrity or other aspects of its designated status provided that suitable conditions and agreed measures are put in place. Given the importance of maintaining the integrity of the designated status of Lough Neagh, my final decision will issue only when the Section 76 Planning Agreement with the applicant and relevant parties has been concluded to my satisfaction. I look forward to a speedy conclusion of that process.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Proposal:  Proposed extraction, transportation and working of sand and gravel from Lough Neagh. Sand and gravel to be extracted from within two distinct areas totalling some 3.1km2, in the north-west of Lough Neagh situated approximately east of Traad Point, north of Stanierds Point, west of Doss Point and south of Ballyronan and the ancillary deposition of silt and fine material for Lough Neagh Sand Traders Ltd.
2. Location: Lough Neagh, within the Mid Ulster District Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Lisburn and Castlereagh Council Areas.
3. A Public Inquiry (PI) was held on 20 and 21 June 2018. The PAC report with recommendation to approve planning permission was received by the Department on 10 May 2019. Following receipt of the PAC Report, the Department took the decision to allow those who had participated in the PI to make comment on it if they wished. A number of parties made further representations and these have been fully considered in arriving at this decision.
4. Application number LA03/2017/0310/F is a regionally significant planning application which was submitted to the Department for determination in March 2017.
5.  One party submitted an objection in relation to this application.
6. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
8. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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