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22/09/2011
'Decision Soon' For NI Golf Resort
The decision on whether to pass the controversial planning application for a golf resort in county Antrim will take another ten weeks after ten years in the planning stage.
Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, has said that he will weigh up the pros and cons of the application carefully before he makes his decision.
If planning is approved the new golf resort will be located on the Antrim coast between Bushmills and the Giant's Causeway. The planning application includes a hotel, guest lodges and a links golf course.
It is alleged in a report by the BBC that the Government wants to 'cash in' on the recent success of Northern Irish golfers Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell by moving forward with the project.
While The National Trust opposes the plans, which it says could threaten the world heritage status of the area. The trust has warned that a boost to the economy should not come at a cost to the environment.
All Northern Ireland's main political parties however are in support of the project and it is claimed that it could inject up to £90m into the local economy.
Politicians are describing the ten year delays by planning officials as a "national scandal" and describing the resort as a "tourist gem".
Mr Attwood said: "Three weeks ago I instructed planning officials to bring forward papers on the planning application at Runkerry and to do so by the end of November. It is my view that all issues around this application have been or are being exhaustively interrogated.
"It is time to make a decision. I plan to do so. I will carefully and fully weigh all factors – environmental, World Heritage Status at the Giant’s Causeway, economic benefit and others - in making the decision."
(LB/BMcC)
Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, has said that he will weigh up the pros and cons of the application carefully before he makes his decision.
If planning is approved the new golf resort will be located on the Antrim coast between Bushmills and the Giant's Causeway. The planning application includes a hotel, guest lodges and a links golf course.
It is alleged in a report by the BBC that the Government wants to 'cash in' on the recent success of Northern Irish golfers Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell by moving forward with the project.
While The National Trust opposes the plans, which it says could threaten the world heritage status of the area. The trust has warned that a boost to the economy should not come at a cost to the environment.
All Northern Ireland's main political parties however are in support of the project and it is claimed that it could inject up to £90m into the local economy.
Politicians are describing the ten year delays by planning officials as a "national scandal" and describing the resort as a "tourist gem".
Mr Attwood said: "Three weeks ago I instructed planning officials to bring forward papers on the planning application at Runkerry and to do so by the end of November. It is my view that all issues around this application have been or are being exhaustively interrogated.
"It is time to make a decision. I plan to do so. I will carefully and fully weigh all factors – environmental, World Heritage Status at the Giant’s Causeway, economic benefit and others - in making the decision."
(LB/BMcC)
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28 February 2013
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Tourism Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed today's decision by the High Court to grant planning permission for a golf resort at Runkerry. Arlene Foster said: "Today's decision is great news for tourism in Northern Ireland and it is great news for the economy.
23 April 2013
Boost For Solar Energy Welcomed
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Alliance South Down spokesperson, Councillor Patrick Clarke, has welcomed the announcement by the Environment Minister that schools, businesses and farm buildings will no longer need planning permission for solar panels. The change relates to micro generation equipment, including solar panels, which generate electricity or heat from sunlight.
01 May 2009
NI Planning Service Proposes Price Hike
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The Northern Ireland Assembly has heard of plans to increased planning application fees by 20%. Proposals brought forward to the Environment Committee are believed to be aimed at saving jobs within the Planning Service. Officials told MLAs the move was essential following a substantial drop in planning applications, which fell by £4.
28 July 2008
International Blind Golf Championships Set For Belfast
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International Blind Golf Championships Set For Belfast
A surprising sport is coming to Northern Ireland - blind golfing. Belfast's Belvoir Park Golf Club will host the World Blind Golf Championships from 10 - 12 August. With one of the 'driving forces' behind the Championships being Comber's Jan Dinsdale - one of the top lady blind golfers in the world - the initiative is all the more appropriate.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
