Friday 19 April 2002
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

ENVIRONMENT

Mr Mark Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to list all European legislation and directives for the disposal of waste and recycling which to date have not been implemented; and to detail the timetable for implementation.

(AQW 2718/01)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Nesbitt): There are currently 4 Directives on matters associated with the disposal of waste and recycling which have not been transposed or have been only partially transposed in Northern Ireland. A list of these together with the anticipated dates for their transposition is set out below.

Directive 75/439/EEC – Disposal of Waste Oils

This is a UK-wide infraction case due to the failure by the UK to transpose Article 3 of the Directive which requires promotion of waste oil regeneration. Northern Ireland is developing a response in parallel with the rest of the UK but as yet no date has been agreed for transposition.

Directive 75/442/EEC - Waste Framework Directive

Anticipated transposition date – September 2003

Directive 99/31/EC - Landfill of Waste

Anticipated transposition date – November 2003

Directive 2000/53 – End of Life Vehicles

Anticipated transposition date – late 2003

In addition, the Commission is pursuing infraction proceedings against the United Kingdom as a whole in respect of incorrect transposition of the following 2 Directives relating to the disposal of waste:

Anticipated transposition date – September 2003

Anticipated transposition date – late 2003

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to AQW 2666/00, what progress has been made to establish a coastal forum.

(AQW 2842/01)

Mr Nesbitt: Because of the cross-cutting nature of issues effecting the coast, my predecessor, Sam Foster sought views on the merits of a coastal forum from the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Minister for Regional Development. While both saw potential benefit in bringing together those with an interest in the coastline, they indicated that they would need more detail on the remit of any such body before coming to any conclusion on whether they could support the setting up of a forum.

There was also the question of funding for such a body, covering both its running costs and the cost of any work it might wish to undertake.

In response to these issues, my Department commissioned a scoping study to examine the remit of a possible Coastal Forum and to make recommendations on matters including the responsibilities, structure and management of such a body, its relationships with statutory and other bodies, issues which it might address, means of commissioning research and possible review mechanisms. A full report is expected shortly. On the issue of funding, I am pleased that my Department was successful in securing £100,000 in the 2002/2003 budget round, to allow a Forum to be set up and serviced. However, a bid on the Executive Programme Funds for resources to cover the work programme which the Forum is likely to generate, including items such as research, contract staff and publications was unsuccessful.

As I have said, the establishment of a Forum would have implications for a number of other Departments. It will therefore be necessary to have the support of other Ministers before any Forum can be established. When the report of the scoping study is available, I will wish to consider it and the funding issues with the other Ministers involved.

Ms Patricia Lewsley asked the Minister of the Environment, in respect of the Belfast Metropolitan Area Urban Capacity Study, to outline (a) what stage the Study is currently at; (b) the resources which have been allocated for the Study; (c) where the expertise has been drawn from; (d) the methodology used for the Study; and (e) if the Study is using a dynamic model.

(AQW 2849/01)

Mr Nesbitt: An Urban Capacity Study is being carried out by the Department in the context of the preparation of the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan. This study is being conducted to assess the potential of existing Urban areas within the Belfast Metropolitan Area to accommodate new development. It will form part of the Draft Plan.

(A)The survey work associated with the study is now nearing completion and the specialist consultants who have been appointed by the Department are currently devising a methodology which will be used to assess the likely housing output.

(B) The survey part of the study is being carried out by three qualified planners who are being assisted by staff with specialist mapping skills and personnel from a variety of Government Departments. The specialist consultancy team includes staff with a variety of expertise which includes knowledge of the local housing market, urban design, architecture and planning.

(C ) The expertise has been drawn from within my Department and from other Departments and the private sector. The consultation exercise being carried out by the appointed consultants aims to draw upon local knowledge from the 6 Councils, the construction industry, the carried out by the appointed consultants aims to draw upon local knowledge from the 6 Councils, the construction industry, the community sector and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

(D) The methodology being used is based upon Best Practice from elsewhere adjusted to suit local circumstances.

(E) The study is dynamic in that it looks at past trends, makes allowance for output from windfall sites (sites which become available for development but which cannot be identified, such as surplus institutional land and vacant buildings) and is informed by specialist local knowledge of the housing market.

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister of the Environment to detail all European Union Directives on Coastal Zone Management; and to make a statement on his Department's compliance with these Directives.

(AQW 2850/01)

Mr Nesbitt: There are no specific European Directives on Coastal Zone Management. There is however a proposed European Community Recommendation on implementing Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).

The Recommendation asks Member States to undertake a national stocktaking of legislation, institutions and stakeholders involved in the management of the coastal zone and, based on this, to develop a national strategy or strategies to implement ICZM.

It is likely that the Recommendation will be adopted in the near future. The UK Government is in the lead in negotiating the Recommendation. However my officials are in contact with UK officials on the implications of the Recommendation for Northern Ireland to ensure that any Northern Ireland interests are taken into account in developing the UK negotiating line.

Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment what discussions have been held with business and industrial representatives throughout Northern Ireland regarding the financial implications of the implementation of the Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1999 and Amendments; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2856/01)

Mr Nesbitt: Prior to the implementation of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 and the subsequent Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999, consultation documents were issued for comment to industry, district councils, industrial representatives, Government Departments and other interested parties. Over 1000 copies of each document issued.

Each consultation document included a full regulatory impact assessment of the effects and financial implications of the proposed Regulations.

As part of the process of making businesses aware of the implications of the Packaging Waste Regulations, a series of awareness seminars were also held throughout Northern Ireland before the Regulations were implemented in 1999. These seminars were conducted by my Department’s Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and by the Industrial Research and Technology Unit of the then Department of Economic Development.

EHS staff regularly meet with businesses to discuss their recovery and recycling obligations and potential compliance costs.

Mr David Ford asked the Minister of the Environment if he will require that a composting unit be included before granting planning permission for any new residential developments.

(AQW 2881/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The Department has no plans at present to require the provision of composting units under all planning approvals for new residential developments as a matter of policy.

However, Waste Management Plans prepared by local councils in their waste planning role under the Waste Management Strategy for Northern Ireland, will be key material planning considerations in Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 11- Planning and Waste Management, which is due to be published before the summer. The Department will seek advice from relevant councils on any waste management requirements in relation to appropriate planning applications, through the normal consultation process on development proposals. The PPS will also contain guidance not only on residential but on all new development in terms of the early consideration of waste issues in the design process, and effective management of waste in development proposals.

I believe that the Waste Management Plans, which are currently out for public consultation, will provide the best mechanism for ensuring that all waste is properly managed. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to pre-empt the outcome of this process by implementing the measure you suggest at present.

Mr Eddie McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment what further action will he take to develop Downpatrick as a Growth Town by the Area Plan Team in the Planning Service; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1144/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The Regional Development Strategy recognises the role of the Region’s main towns as hubs of economic activity and services. It identifies the need for towns to achieve the ‘critical mass’ required to support growth.

The Strategy sets an indicator for future housing growth for each District Council area up to 2015. Development plans prepared by the Department have a key role in the allocation of housing growth in specific locations. The future development of Downpatrick will be considered within the context of the draft Ards and Down Area Plan 2015, which is programmed for publication this year.

The new Ards and Down Plan will allocate growth to the District towns, other settlements and the countryside in the Districts over the Plan period. In making provision for growth, due weight will be given to the need to reinforce the leading role of Downpatrick as a major centre of administration, employment and services.

Mr Tommy Gallagher asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of mobile phone masts that have been approved in Fermanagh District Council area to date.

(AQO 1145/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The number of mobile phone masts that have been approved in the Fermanagh District Council area since 1994, when relevant records began to be kept, is 95.

The Member may also wish to know that I recently published a Planning Policy Statement on Telecommunications and will shortly be bringing forward legislation to introduce full planning control on all new telecommunication development, including mobile phone masts.

I expect the legislation to be laid before the Assembly within the next few weeks and that, subject to the scrutiny by the Assembly, it should come into operation by the end of May 2002.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the amount of times telecommunication mast companies shared masts in the Foyle constituency.

(AQO 1102/01)

Mr Nesbitt: My Department does not keep records of mast sharing arrangements between telecommunications operating companies.

However, my Department recognises the importance of keeping the numbers of radio and telecommunications masts, and the sites for such installations to a minimum, consistent with the efficient operation of the network.

The sharing of masts is therefore a strong feature in my Department's new Planning Policy Statement, PPS 10 -Telecommunications. For any new mast, applicants will reasonably be expected to provide evidence that they have considered the possibility of erecting antennas on an existing building, mast or other structure and indicate why this approach has not been pursued.

PPS 10 has now been published and the new legislation requiring full planning permission for all telecommunications development will be laid in the Assembly within the next few weeks.

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of the Environment to designate a specific day for a co-ordinated 'clean-up' of the countryside.

(AQO 1101/01)

Mr Nesbitt: I have no plans to designate a specific day as suggested by the Member, although I would like to see our towns and countryside clean and tidy every day.

District Councils are responsible, under the Litter (NI) Order 1994, for clearing litter and cleaning roads in both the towns and countryside of Northern Ireland.

My Department’s Environment and Heritage Service funds the efforts of the UK voluntary sector charity Environmental Campaigns, ENCAMS, which operates as ‘Tidy Northern Ireland’ here. The work of Tidy Northern Ireland includes organising programmes and events aimed at tackling litter problems.

I am aware that Tidy Northern Ireland has worked very successfully with the Councils in co-ordinating litter campaigns, including last year’s ‘Spring Clean-up’ campaign, and more recently, the ‘Just Bin It’ campaign.

Good waste management practices will also help to deal with the litter problem. My Department’s Waste Management Strategy aims to reduce the amount of waste produced and to re-use and recycle more of what is produced. District Councils have now published for consultation draft Waste Management Plans which will give effect to the Strategy at local level.

The Lord Kilclooney asked the Minister of the Environment when will the Ards Area Plan be published; and if he will make a statement on the progress of its preparation.

(AQW 3008/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The Ards and Down Area Plan 2015 is the first to be prepared in the context of the Regional Development Strategy, which was formulated in September 2001. The Regional Development Strategy sets out the strategic planning framework that will shape development over the next 25 years and will help guide the preparation of all development plans.

The Strategic Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 requires the Plan to be "consistent with" the Regional Development Strategy. The requirement of consistency has necessitated extensive discussions and additional work to ensure that the Plan will be consistent with all the approaches to sustainable development required by the Strategy.

For your information, DRD is currently consulting on changes to the Strategic Planning Order to amend the obligation of consistency to one in which plans are required to be "in general conformity" with the RDS.

It is proposed to introduce a formal procedure whereby DRD will issue a ‘statement of conformity’, to clarify that a development plan conforms with the RDS at draft plan, and at final adoption stage.

Preparation of the Draft Plan Written Statement and supporting technical documentation for the Ards and Down Area Plan is well advanced. Prior to publication clearance on ‘consistency’ will require consultations with the Department of Regional Development (DRD) on the completed draft. As a result I anticipate that the draft plan will be published during August 2002.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many alcohol-related deaths were recorded in the Ards Borough Council area in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 2677/01)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Dr Farren): The table below shows the number of cases in the Ards Borough Council area, in each of the last 3 years for which statistics are available, where an alcohol induced illness was recorded as the main cause of death. Coding of deaths registered in 2001 will not be finalised until May 2002.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how many alcohol-related deaths were recorded in the Strangford constituency in each of the last 3 years.

(AQW 2678/01)

Dr Farren: The table below shows the number of cases in the Ards Borough Council area, in each of the last 3 years for which statistics are available, where an alcohol induced illness was recorded as the main cause of death. Coding of deaths registered in 2001 will not be finalised until May 2002.

Dr Farren: Throughout the UK, virgin aggregate has been subject to the tax of £1.60 per tonne from 1 April 2002. The Finance Act 2001 (clause 17) defines aggregate, for the purposes of the tax, as rock, gravel or sand together with any other substances incorporated in or naturally occurring with it. Several exempt categories are listed and include:

• Aggregate that has been previously used for construction purposes.
• Rock that has not been crushed.
• Aggregate that has necessarily arisen from the excavation of a building site.
• Aggregate that has necessarily arisen from the dredging of navigation channels.
• Aggregate that has necessarily arisen during the course of highway construction.
• Aggregate consisting of coal, lignite, slate or shale.

Importing of virgin aggregate is treated in exactly the same way as virgin aggregate originating in the UK – the tax is due when it is commercially exploited. Imported processed products containing aggregate from outside the UK are not subject to the tax. Aggregate exported from the UK is exempt from the tax providing there is valid documentary evidence that the aggregate has left the UK.

In Northern Ireland, the Treasury is proposing to phase in the tax on aggregate used in the production of processed products. Processed products are defined as concrete, mortar, asphalt, coated roadstone and coated chippings or surface dressing. Aggregate used in the production of any of these materials will be exempt from the tax in 2002/03, with a stepped increase of 20 per cent annually until full implementation is reached in 2007/08. This proposal remains subject to EU State Aid approval.

Mr John Kelly asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the religious make-up of Planning Officers at senior and junior level in each local Divisional Planning Office and Sub-Divisional Office within the Planning Service.

(AQW 2941/01)

Dr Farren: The specific purpose for which community background monitoring information is collected is to address the extent to which the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) offers and provides equality of opportunity and fair participation to both sections of the community. The compositional profile of staff working in a particular office or branch is not relevant in informing the development of policies and practices that promote equality of opportunity and fair participation across the NICS. This means that community background information is not maintained at the level requested.

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