Holiday Home Haunts DUP

As the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre controversy continues to generate attention, associated concerns over the DoE's 2002 approval for holiday homes - built by the same developer - is also being debated.

Environment Minister Arlene Foster has been challenged to review her department's handling of a countryside development that later provided a new second home for party colleague Ian Paisley jnr.

Sinn Fein MLA Daithi McKay has now tabled a written Assembly question, asking the minister if she plans to order a review of the DoE's handling of the case.

Ballyallaght Farmyard Cottages near Bushmills - was built by Seymour Sweeney, the businessman behind the now controversial plans for a commercial Causeway visitor centre.

Mr Paisley jnr lobbied in favour of the Ballyallaght development and later bought one of the properties himself.

However, the junior DUP minister has strongly denied that this represented a conflict of interest.

Now the planning approval decision on the holiday homes is under the spotlight.

It was made in October 2002 by then-DoE minister, the UUP's Dermot Nesbitt – but against the recommendation of his department's Environment and Heritage Service.

It has been criticised in recent months by Northern Ireland's independent planning appeals body, the Planning Appeals Commission.

Mr McKay, a North Antrim MLA, said: "The criticism from the Planning Appeals Commission gives me cause for concern.

"I have asked the minister to establish a review to see if any lessons need to be learned for the future and to explain why her department acted in the way it did."

Mr Paisley jnr confirmed to the BBC Spotlight programme last month that he was one of a number of politicians who lobbied in support of Mr Sweeney's Ballyallaght scheme in 2002.

He has also lobbied strongly for the developer's Causeway visitor centre plans.

Rejecting suggestions that his 2004 purchase of one of the new houses represented a conflict of interest, Mr Paisley said: "I bought it at the full market value and I wasn't advanced in any way or advantaged in any way by supporting the application."

However, townhouse properties at Ballyallaght are currently on the market with prices starting at £275,000.

The properties released at the first phase of the development in 2004 cost under £120,000.

(BMcC)