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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 5 September 2002 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. Present: Apologies: In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.31 a.m. The Chairman welcomed Mrs Carson back to the Committee meetings and also introduced and welcomed a new Assistant Clerk, Ms Hilary Bogle to the Committee Office. 1. Minutes of previous meeting The minutes of the meeting of 4 July 2002 were agreed. Mrs Nelis and Mr Armstrong joined the meeting at 10.32am. 2. Matters Arising (a) Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (NI) 2002 The Committee considered a response from the Department of the Environment regarding areas of concern that Members had raised about the proposed Regulations. Agreed: Members considered the response with the associated Regulations before the Committee at item 7 and were content with the explanations given. Replies Awaited Members' attention was drawn to a reply awaited from the UFU. 3. Moratorium on certain Planning Applications Members considered correspondence from the Construction Employers Federation and the Quarry Products Association regarding their serious concerns on a DoE 'moratorium' on planning applications in certain areas. The Chair and Deputy Chair gave an up-date on the outcome of a meeting with the Minister of the Environment on the 4 September 2002 regarding the same. Agreed: To write to the Minister giving the Committee's support for actions to resolve the matter as soon as possible and invite the Minister to a future meeting to update the Committee. 4. Pollution, Prevention and Control Bill Mr Norman Simmons, Ms Ethne Harkness, Mr David Bell and Mr John Waterworth, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 10.44am. They gave a presentation which primarily addressed seven proposed amendments to the Bill. Mr McClarty left the meeting at 11.16am. Mr McClarty rejoined the meeting at 11.37am. Other key issues discussed included an update on consultations with the farming industry, the IPPC Regulations arising from the Bill, Human Rights issues and consequential amendments and repeals from the Bill. The Chair thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.40am. Agreed: To invite Officials to next weeks meeting to respond to issues raised in today's discussion. 5. Planning (Amendment) Bill Mr David Small and Mr Jackie Lambe, Departmental Officials, joined the meeting at 11.42am. They gave a presentation on the Department's analysis of the sixteen responses received to the Committee's consultation on the Bill and how these have been addressed (or not) in the Bill. They also answered Members' questions on the Bill. Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 11.50am. Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.26pm. Mrs Carson left the meeting at 12.32pm. Key issues discussed included Planning Contravention Notices,
Enforcement of Conditions, and Time Limits on Enforcement Action, Enforcement
Notices and Appeals against these, Offence where Enforcement Notice is not
complied with, Execution of works required by Enforcement Notice and Stop Notices. Agreed: Officials to return to the Committee next week to respond to points raised and to continue their presentation and discussion with the Committee. 6. Strategic Planning Bill The Committee considered the above Bill and the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum. This had been forwarded to the Committee by the Regional Development Committee which is currently considering the Bill at Committee Stage. Agreed: To issue a 'no comment' on the Bill. 7. Statutory Rules The Committee gave consideration to the following SL1s: (a) Local Government (Early Termination of Employment) (Discretionary Compensation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (b) The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 Agreed: The Committee to issue 'no comment' to the SL1s. The Air Quality Limit Values (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 were referred prematurely in error to the Committee, and was therefore not considered. 8. AOB The Committee noted a number of issues and papers including: (a) A letter from the Committee for Social Development regarding the Housing Support Services Bill and the Housing Bill Agreed: To issue a 'no comment' to both Bills (b) Correspondence from the Department of the Environment regarding the Consultant's draft Management Plan for the Causeway Coast AONB. (c) A minute from the Committee of the Centre regarding the Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill. (d) Responses from the Department of the Environment regarding concerns from the Holywood Conservation Group. Agreed: To forward the responses to the Group and to Jane Morrice MLA. (e) A response from the Department of the Environment regarding planning applications for housing development at Drumahoe, Londonderry. Agreed: To forward the response to the organisation concerned. (f) A response from the Department of the Environment regarding concerns from the Ulster Angling Federation and a further letter from the Federation. Agreed: To forward the response to the Federation and the latest letter to the Department for comment on the policy issues involved. (g) Correspondence from the Department of the Environment regarding a proposed housing development at Mullaghboy, Islandmagee. (h) Corporate and Business Plans from the Department of the Environment and its Agencies (i) A response from the Department of the Environment regarding a planning application at Craigmore Quarry, Randalstown. Agreed: To forward the response to the member of the public concerned. (j) A letter from the Department of the Environment regarding the transfer of planning responsibility from Omagh Divisional Planning Office to Londonderry Divisional Planning Office. (k) A copy letter from the Minister to the 'Whiteabbey Save the Trees' Group and a further letter from the Group. Agreed: To forward the letter to the Department for comment on the policy issues raised by the Group. (l) A letter from the Minister of the Environment to the Chairman of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding the EC Habitats Directive - Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) (m) Correspondence from a member of the public regarding a sewage pumping station in Holywood. Agreed: To forward the letter to the Department of the Environment for comment on the policy issues raised in the letter. (n) A letter from the Minister of the Environment regarding the appointments to the Best Value Steering Group. (o) A response from the Department of the Environment regarding - Red Hall, 109 Circular Road, Belfast, and a further letter from the member of the public regarding the same. Agreed: To forward the Department's response to the member of the public concerned and to send the latest letter to the Department of the Environment for comment. (p) Correspondence from a member of the public regarding Tree Preservation Orders in relation to planning applications in Londonderry. Agreed: To forward the correspondence to the Department for comment. The Committee also received: (a) An invitation to the launch of the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy on 7th September 2002. (b) A letter from the Northern Ireland Federation of Clubs. (c) A briefing for UK MEP's - 'Packaging' Plenary session of the European Parliament. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 12 September 2002 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. The meeting adjourned at 12.45pm Dr Wm. McCrea MLA (Chairperson) |
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