6.

asked the Minister of the Environment if he has any plans to amend the planning regulations in respect of the attachment of telecommunication antennae to existing structures.

(AQO 1605/00)

My Department issued a consultation paper on 10 November 2000 seeking views on possible changes to planning legislation for the control of development by licensed telecommunications code system operators. The deadline of 16 January 2001 for replies was extended in order to allow more time for the Environment Committee to provide a response. Its comments were received on 5 April 2001.

Following a discussion on the outcome of the consultation paper on 14 June 2001, the Executive Committee decided that the best way forward was for full planning procedures to be applied to telecommunication masts. I have asked my officials to consider what legislation is necessary to implement the Executive Committee's decision, and I expect to be able to introduce that legislation in the autumn. The attachment of telecommunication antennae to existing structures will be taken into consideration in that process.

I note the positive nature of the Minister's response. I know that he has been inundated with matters concerning telecommunication masts, but I will just add to his burden. In the light of the clustering of antennae and the sharing arrangements for telecommunication masts and equipment, does the Minister accept that new planning legislation is required? Does the Minister have any proposals to specifically include clustering and sharing arrangements in the new proposed legislation?

Telecommunication masts are a big problem. However, in the course of the legislative process the Department will consider and take note of Mr Carrick's comments.

Does the Minister accept that the lack of neighbourhood notification about those masts has created many problems, and can he say how he intends to legislate on the matter? Can he also update me on the controversial case of the masts near Newry and Jerrettspass? I am grateful for his assistance in the matter.

All aspects will be taken into consideration. The Jerrettspass situation was difficult. My officials have had discussions with Crown Castle, the developer's agents in this case, and they have indicated their intention to remove the mast as soon as the operator can identify an alternative means of providing a service, but I do not expect any undue delay. I am grateful to One 2 One and Crown Castle for their co-operation in that matter.

Does the Minister agree that many of the microwave dishes and antennae that are attached to two masts under permitted development are now illegal, since most of them have been extended in the meantime?

It will take some time to prepare the necessary legislation. As we can only apply the current legislation, masts erected under permitted development will remain.

7.

asked the Minister of the Environment to outline his plans to reverse the current trend of high-density developments that have radically affected the social and demographic character of many of our coastal towns.

(AQO 1603/00)

I have discussed those concerns with the Member in the past. My Department's planning policy statement 7, 'Quality Residential Environments', is to be published in its final form soon, and it will require developers to provide high-quality proposals that are sympathetic to the character of an existing area. It will also provide for development plans to identify local design requirements for new residential development which could include, for example, dwelling numbers, mix and types.

My Department will also issue draft supplementary planning guidance in the summer for consultation. It will take the form of a development control advice note, providing specific guidance on proposals for small unit housing within existing urban areas. Although it will not set policy, it will give guidance to developers on the physical form of housing development, including apartments, and the relationship to surrounding properties.

The development plan process will continue to provide communities with an opportunity to comment on and influence the future development of their areas. That opportunity will be enhanced by the recently introduced issues paper approach to the early stages of the process. In addition, the Department for Regional Development is preparing a regional planning policy statement on 'Housing in Settlements', which will provide strategic guidance on a range of social and sustainable housing policies.

I was reasonably happy with the Minister until he informed me that his new advice note will be for guidance only. We have had guidance before, and guidance for developers is unsatisfactory. Does the Minister feel that mere guidance is good enough, as this is a major problem in many coastal areas? People can either take guidance or ignore it, and I ask the Minister if he has something more secure to eradicate this problem.

We all need guidance of some kind in every aspect of life, and guidance is important in policies. The objective of planning policy must be to accommodate the growing demand for affordable housing, which is driven by demographic changes and the rising number of households.

The regional development strategy will set a target for growth in the number of new dwellings to be provided in existing urban areas. The Planning Service has been engaged in the quality initiative. The purpose of that initiative has been to promote a design-led approach in order to achieve quality housing schemes in existing urban areas. The 'Creating Places' layout guide published in May 2000 is assisting that process.

Mr McGrady has advised me that he will be absent. Question No 8 in the name of Mr McGrady will therefore receive a written answer.

9.

asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what research has been carried out to identify possible controls for zebra mussels infesting Lough Erne; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1620/00)

My Department, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Department for Regional Development have established an interdepartmental group to co-ordinate action on this problem. Waterways Ireland and Queen's University are also represented. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has initiated a three-year study of the ecological impacts of the mussels on Lough Erne. That study is investigating changes in algae, water clarity, nutrient levels and the impact on native swan mussel beds. It has found that zebra mussels have consumed much of the algae in the lake and that water clarity is at the highest level ever recorded.

The majority of the native swan mussel beds have been colonised, and there is a threat of local extinction of those mussels. Further research, funded by my Department, is now being undertaken to predict the impacts and to assess the effectiveness of control measures for other lakes in Northern Ireland. However, it is impossible to control the zebra mussel infestation in Lough Erne. They have become densely established on all available hard surfaces throughout both the upper and lower loughs. I am disappointed about that, as I come from that part of the world myself. It is a difficult situation.

I echo the Minister's concern. His reply has been useful, but I am particularly concerned about the cost to Northern Ireland. Can we recoup some of the costs from the Republic, where the infestation came from? I am concerned that we have lost algae and some of the pondweeds and the plankton that the fish eat. How will the Minister and his Department ensure that the fish stocks in both loughs will not be endangered?

As I have said, zebra mussels are now very abundant in Upper and Lower Lough Erne but have not spread elsewhere in Northern Ireland. The most obvious effect has been an increase in the clarity of the water in shallow areas. This is mostly because zebra mussels feed by filtering the water and extracting the microscopic aquatic life.

The effect of zebra mussels on fish stocks is very worrying. The effect will be indirect, and it will take some time to become fully apparent. It is expected that changes to water quality, bottom sediments and ultimately the fish food chain will affect fish populations to some extent. Ongoing work by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on fish stocks in Lough Erne will indicate future changes.

It could be very difficult to get money from the Republic of Ireland, but zebra mussels did come through from the Shannon into Lough Erne. That is rather sad. I would advise people to closely monitor their boats to ensure that no more of them come in. Take ultimate precautions, hose down well, scrub and be very watchful and careful. Once they are in, they are difficult to control.

10.

asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what research has been carried out into the feasibility of applying innovative speed limiting measures to vehicles.

(AQO 1615/00)

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions completed a research project last year on intelligent speed adaptation systems. Those can automatically restrict the maximum speed of vehicles to the relevant speed limit. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has recently begun a further research project examining how intelligent speed adaptation might affect driving behaviour. That work is complementary to work being carried out in other European countries, particularly Sweden and the Netherlands. Initial results suggest that those systems offer the prospect of significantly reducing the number and severity of speed-related collisions. However, vehicle construction standards are governed by EU Regulations, and any requirement for the compulsory fitting of intelligent speed limiters would therefore need to be agreed at European level.

Discussions at European level are under way, although those are still at an early stage. My Department will continue to monitor developments in this area through its contacts with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Has the Minister any plans for using new technology such as computerising vehicles?

There are currently no plans to require the introduction of external vehicle speed control, otherwise known as intelligent speed adaptation. Consideration of any wider application of speed limitation devices is still at an exploratory stage and would require widespread public consultation. It is not, therefore, a feasible option in the short term, but given sufficient public support, intelligent speed limiters could in future make a contribution to preventing collisions or reducing their severity.

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle.. Many people would consider that most of the speed measures are another means of collecting money from the public who use the roads. Are there statistics that show the impact of slow drivers? Sometimes they are farmers. Slow driving can have an impact on road accidents. Is the Minister doing anything to educate people about how slow driving, as well as speed, is a major cause of road accidents?

Excessive speed remains the most common cause of collisions, but there is no doubt that slow drivers also create problems. Drivers lose their patience with slow drivers and try to overtake.

Excessive speed accounted for almost a fifth of all collisions that resulted in fatalities or serious casualties between 1994 and 1998. The 'Northern Ireland Road Safety Strategy 2001-2010' consultation document invites comments on proposed new initiatives to improve driver ability and significantly change the public's attitude to excessive speed. New initiatives aim to persuade drivers that neither experience nor advanced car technology makes it safe or acceptable to drive at excessive speed. Responses to the consultation document can be made before 27 July. If the Member or any other Members have a useful response to make, we would be receptive to it.

11.

asked the Minister of the Environment if he has any plans to provide disability awareness training for PSV drivers.

(AQO 1619/00)

My Department has no powers to provide disability awareness training for PSV drivers. I have, however, asked my officials to liaise with Disability Action with a view to preparing a fact sheet on disability awareness training. That could be made available to operators involved in the passenger road transport sector. Translink, which operates the majority of road passenger transport services, already engages the services of a disability awareness officer and provides training on disability awareness for staff. I encourage other PSV operators to include disability awareness as part of their customer care training.

Unfortunately, when people are asked to volunteer, it does not always happen. Is it possible that the Minister's Department will take an initiative similar to the one that the Department of Education has taken on training all escorts and drivers who deal with young children with disabilities? Will the Minister consider making such training compulsory before a PSV driver can get a licence?

I cannot give an assurance that we will take that on, but we will see what we can come up with. This is very important, and we could pursue it with other Departments. We will think about what the Member has said without giving any commitment to taking it on.

12.

asked the Minister of the Environment whether the landfill site at Movilla Road, Newtownards is currently operating within planning guidelines.

(AQO 1613/00)

A planning approval to carry out infill operations at the site, together with the provision of facilities to allow for the recycling and recovery of materials, was granted on 22 November 1999. The approval limited the categories of waste to be deposited on the site and the permitted levels of infilling. It also included a requirement that the site should be restored when approved levels are reached, or if infilling ceased for a period of six months. The planning permission also included the erection of a storage building.

A recent site inspection by my officials revealed that while the materials being used as infill are as permitted, the level of infilling appears to be slightly higher than approved. However, it is the experience of the Planning Service that those levels will decrease naturally as the material consolidates. My officials will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that infilling is maintained within the approved levels. Enforcement action will be taken if necessary.

The inspection also revealed that the storage building which formed part of the application has been erected 80 metres from the approved location and is also significantly larger in scale than that indicated on the approved plan. The operator has been warned that that development is unauthorised and that enforcement action may be pursued if it cannot be regularised with a planning permission. In line with normal enforcement policy, he has been asked to submit a planning application for that development. It will be considered on its merits, and if refused, appropriate enforcement action will then be taken.

I am sure that the Minister's response will be gratefully received by the local residents who have been complaining about the matter for many years. Will the Minister ask his Department to keep a close watch on the activities on that site? If the person operating the site does not comply, will the Minister and his departmental officials take action to ensure that the planning authority rules are not breached?

Yes, we will certainly monitor the situation. If enforcement action is necessary, it will be taken.

Our time is up.

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I draw your attention to the fact that question 2 on the Order Paper, posed by Mrs Courtney, who is no longer in her place, appears to have been ignored. May I ask for an explanation?

I neglected to say that the question in the name of Mrs Courtney had been transferred to the Department for Regional Development and will receive a written answer.

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