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Northern Ireland Office

Answer

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress on the Runkerry Golf Course, Hotel and Leisure project; and what representations he has received (a) in support of and (b) opposed to the project from (i) Moyle District Council, (ii) the National Trust and (iii) Northern Ireland Tourist Board. [202308] Angela Smith: The Department is still considering the application for this major proposal close to the Giant's Causeway World Heritages site. The proposal raises complex planning policy issues, particularly the impact on the setting of the World Heritage site. The Department's Environmental Heritage Service is strongly opposed to the proposal. Environmental considerations need to be balanced against the tourist and other economic benefits of the proposal. Additional information has been requested from the applicant. Once received the Department will deal with this application as expeditiously as possible. (I) Moyle District Council The Council supports this application as it considers that the provision of these facilities will add considerably to the tourism assets of the Causeway Coast and wider area. (II) The National Trust The National Trust objects to the proposed development and has requested that the application be refused. Its major concern with the application is the affect on the setting of the Giants Causeway World Heritage site which is substantially under custodianship of the National Trust. (III) Northern Ireland Tourist Board. (NITB) NITB supports this proposal on condition that it satisfies all the other relevant planning and conservation criteria including that there is no threat of any adverse impact on the World Heritage site.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

202308; 428 c451-2W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Leisure Hotels Facilities Golf Northern Ireland Planning permission Property development National Trust Tourism Northern Ireland Tourist Board Moyle District Council Giant's Causeway

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk