Environment – Page 24 – Slugger O'Toole

“significant concerns over the location of this proposal..”

Pete Baker on September 27, 2007, 2:36 pm

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In the Belfast Telegraph David Gordon points to more indications that the Planning Service were of a mind to refuse Seymour Sweeney’s planning application for the Causeway development. Of course, only the Environment minster seems to have seen their actual report.. just before she declared that she was “of a mind to approve” that application. From today’s Belfast Telegraph report. It is clear from internal documents that officials were working towards a refusal position. Their verdict would have been given …

“this would have a major adverse impact on the landscape character..”

Pete Baker on September 25, 2007, 5:09 pm

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It’s still not a smoking gun, but the Belfast Telegraph’s David Gordon has seen the Department of the Environment’s file on the controversial planning application by Seymour Sweeney for a development at the Giants’ Causeway and he’s picked out one document in particular from that file – the views of the Department’s Environment and Heritage Service on Mr Sweeney’s planning application in December 2002. Written by Dr John Faulkner, EHS director of Natural Heritage, the letter stated: “EHS has major …

“Without their expertise tourism will not grow significantly.”

Pete Baker on September 22, 2007, 7:18 pm

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It’s not a smoking gun. But the Belfast Telegraph’s David Gordon reveals that in June 2005 the DUP’s Ian Paisley Jnr – now a junior minister in the NI Executive – together with fellow DUP MLA Mervyn Storey, wrote a lengthy joint letter to then-NI Secretary Peter Hain arguing that tourism at the Giant’s Causeway was “not being marketed or exploited to its full potential” and that “We believe that tourism can only succeed where the experts are involved and …

“any new visitor centre must be built in the footprint of the centre that was burnt down”

Pete Baker on September 19, 2007, 3:23 pm

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Good example of the benefits of fact-checking from the Belfast Telegraph, after they did the straight reporting of the controversial Causeway developer Seymour Sweeney’s claim that UNESCO’s Mechtild Rossler, the European chief of heritage sites at the organisation, was “impressed” by his proposal. They went to the source. And Dr Rossler pointed back to the UNESCO report[pdf file] from 2003 – noted here. – From today’s Belfast Telegraph report When contacted by the Belfast Telegraph this week, Dr Rossler said …

“A recommendation to decline the application is expected..”

Pete Baker on September 18, 2007, 6:11 pm

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The Environment Minister Arlene Foster is due to appear in front of the Assembly’s Environment Committee on Thursday, and the National Trust apears to be rolling up its sleeves [Adds new link for that NT reference] in preparation for a fight. Meanwhile the Belfast Telegraph’s David Gordon has got his hands on an internal Department of Enterprise memo, on the planning application by Seymour Sweeney.. the application the Environment Minister is minded to approve. From the Belfast Telegraph report The …

But will they run on time…

Pete Baker on September 14, 2007, 7:22 pm

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Perhaps I’m not reading this properly, or perhaps the full statement when it appears will explain it better, but according to this report a transport meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in Killadeas, Co Fermanagh, discussed whether hourly services could be introduced on the Belfast to Dublin railway line – “Train operators are considering further development that would also involve new engines and the removal of speed restrictions.” That’s not the part that’s confusing.. this is Northern Ireland Regional Development …

No free lunches here

Pete Baker on September 14, 2007, 3:30 pm

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And certainly not when it comes to private developments. The BBC report the headline, but as the Belfast Telegraph’s David Gordon points out there are catches involved. First is the associated development which would remain with the Sheridan Group. But its Causeway centre idea may fall foul of the National Trust and other environmental groups due to the private development element within it. Then there’s the slight problem of a recent government assessment on Sheridan’s ability to deliver the Queen’s …

Causeway conundrum

Pete Baker on September 12, 2007, 2:21 pm

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There are, so far, more questions than answers surrounding the still-unfolding story of the Causeway Visitors Centre and it’s not clear what worth, if any, there is in Coleraine Borough Council unanimously voting to “keep the proposed visitor’s centre at the Giant’s Causeway in public hands” – a motion seconded by DUP mayor Maurice Bradley. Then there’s the entire back-story, from the fire in 2000 which destroyed the previous centre, to the Moyle UUP councillor William Graham’s last-minute motion to …

“it may become necessary to create such an authority if it is not already in existence..”

Pete Baker on September 11, 2007, 6:50 pm

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In the comments zone here, Alan posted a link to this recent High Court judgement on the environmental impact reports on draft Area Plans. The somewhat technical ruling was that those reports were “not in substantial compliance” with European Commission directives. But the ruling also contains a couple of very interesting paragraphs in which, if I’m not mistaken, Mr Justice Weatherup makes a case for an independent Environmental Protection Agency.. something the DUP have spoken out against. [But is the …

“It would not be a prudent use of taxpayers’ money to proceed further in the circumstances..”

Pete Baker on September 10, 2007, 8:03 pm

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The winning architectural design for the proposed Visitor’s Centre at the Giant’s Causeway was announced in October 2005 and, presumably, that’s what they still intend to build [Adds or perhaps not..]. But the question of who is to build it looks like being another battle-ground within the NI Executive.. and outside as well. On Saturday SF MLA Daithí McKay complained about the delay, today we have a quick one-two of statements from the DUP representatives in the Executive – firstly …

High Court rules introduction of PPS 14 was unlawful

Pete Baker on September 7, 2007, 2:26 pm

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In the High Court today Mr Justice Gillen ruled that the intrdouction of the draft Planning Policy Statement 14 was unlawful. The draft Policy had been imposed by the then-Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Shaun Woodward [pdf file], on behalf of Lord Rooker, in March 2006 and effectively imposed a blanket ban on planning permission for new homes in rural areas. Draft Planning Policy Statement 14 here [pdf file]. I’ll add the judgement when it’s available. An additional …

Preview of Antony Gormley’s Dublin Docklands vision..

Pete Baker on August 23, 2007, 5:22 pm

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There was plenty of speculation on what, exactly, the winning commission by Antony Gormley for Dublin Docklands was going to look like, see here also, and today’s Irish Times reports that he has released some images of the proposed sculpture.. [subs req] although the only image I can find, from the IT report, is somewhat spoiled by the foreground image interfering with the perspective.. it will be 48 metres high remember.. Pete Baker

Shannon (No) Show rumbles on..

Pete Baker on August 17, 2007, 7:41 pm

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Another Irish Government Minister, Eamon O’Cuiv, has decided to criticise [Updated O’Cuiv link via Limerick Blogger] the Irish Government over the Aer Lingus decision and the Defence Minister, Limerick TD Willie O’Dea, has been painting defeat as victory.. Perhaps he should have listened to the Aer Lingus Chief Executive, Dermot Mannion, more carefully at that meeting.. or even to the official Irish Government statement.. oh, and the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern is reported to be saying that the …

“the cost will be borne by the department”

Pete Baker on August 9, 2007, 7:59 pm

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UTV reports that the Irish Government’s Department of the Environment is to fund the cost, expected to be around £1000 [or €1,500 – Ed], of replacing a bronze plaque commemorating the birthplace of Edward Carson at 3-4 Harcourt Street Dublin. The report notes that the previous bronze plaque at the property went missing earlier this year and that the official Dublin Tourism body, which has responsiblility for such commemorative plaques, had said they had no funds to replace it.From the …

Paisley to reassure importing countries on foot-and-mouth..

Pete Baker on August 7, 2007, 7:49 pm

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More than one farm site in Surrey, England, all within the initial 3km protection zone, are reported to be showing indications of foot-and-mouth. Officially Northern Ireland has escaped the EU export ban on meat and diary products from the UK.. unofficially some exporters have experienced problems. Not to worry, though. The BBC reports that the First Minister Ian Paisley is to have a quiet word with the Japanese ambassador to the UK.. *ahem* Even so, it’s not the only country …

“a project that will improve journey times and safety for all.”

Pete Baker on August 6, 2007, 6:37 pm

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When it opened with a fanfare of publicity, and no less than three ministers from two jurisdictions, the expectation was that the £33million stretch of the new dual carriageway near Newry would cut journey times – indeed one of those minister’s declared, “This is an excellent example of Roads Service working across the island with their counterparts in the National Roads Authority and Louth County Council on a project that will improve journey times and safety for all.” But, with …

Gormley ponders European Commission proceedings as Green’s elect him leader

Pete Baker on July 18, 2007, 12:29 am

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The Irish government Minister for the Environment John Gormley is, as far as I can tell, still to respond to the European Commission which, it’s reported [subs req], has taken infringement proceedings “in relation to the decision to preserve by record the ancient site at Lismullin.” The Irish Times report notes that “Ireland is the subject of 33 investigations by the commission into infringements of EU directives ranging from water pollution to the habitats directive and birds directive.” He described …

Regional Development Minister agrees to vesting of land in Derry City Council

Pete Baker on July 17, 2007, 1:27 am

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The current City of Derry Airport manager remains temporarily suspended whilst an internal investigation takes place into the failure [absence?] of safety management systems and today the Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy, issued a statement in which he agreed that a vesting order enabling Derry City Council to acquire lands adjoining City of Derry Airport could go ahead – in effect a compulsory purchase of the land. The Department also issued a separate statement [Word doc], and released other …

“The one fades into the other.”

Pete Baker on July 15, 2007, 7:33 pm

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Robert Macfarlane includes a disclaimer in this article, he’s been involved with, and is a contributor to, the first issue of Archipelago by Clutag Press – previously noted here – and he’s also written extensively on the subject matter, archipelagic writing, as evidenced by his collection of articles for the Guardian. ANYway.. from his article in Saturday’s Guardian Review Archipelago: (k p l g), def. 1 “Any sea or sheet of water, studded with many isles.” We live, though this …

Susceptible to smuggling?

Pete Baker on July 10, 2007, 2:31 am

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Interesting that the new Irish government Justice Minister, Brian Lenihan, is reported to have dismissed suggestions that the recent discovery of bales of cocaine off the County Cork coast proves that the Irish coastline is susceptible to smuggling. Interesting because of the Taoiseach’s acknowledgement last week that the discovery was due to “weather conditions rather than intelligence” and the Observer report this Sunday which noted that The vulnerability of Ireland’s coastline was first highlighted seven years ago by the US …