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Moratorium on housing development 'inevitable'

Environmentalists have said that a moratorium on further housing development in up to 56 locations across Northern Ireland is inevitable, as the European Commission threatens legal action over inadequate sewage treatment.

The Commission has confirmed [1] that it has sent a "letter of formal notice" [2] to the UK Government seeking a response to Friends of the Earth's allegation that Northern Ireland has acted illegally in granting planning permissions in 56 pollution 'hotspots' [3] where sewage works are not up to standard.

Friends of the Earth's Northern Ireland Director, John Woods, said:

"Environment Minister, Angela Smith, now has no choice but to ban housing development where additional sewage pollution would exacerbate breaches of European law. To do otherwise would be to invite the wrath of the European Court in the form of enormous fines"

Among the places most likely to have development put on hold until sewage works can be built or upgraded are: Bangor, Donaghadee, Ballyclare, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Ballymena, Cookstown, Omagh, Portrush and Portstewart [3].

The policy of allowing housing development despite inadequate sewage facilities dates back to October 2002 when the then Environment Minister, Dermot Nesbitt MLA, instructed Environment and Heritage Service not to object to planning applications on grounds of sewage pollution [4]. Direct rule Minister, Angela Smith MP, has continued the policy despite several warnings from Friends of the Earth that she is acting illegally [5].

John Woods continued:

"It is now nearly two years since Dermot Nesbitt announced his disgraceful decision to ignore the environment, public health and European law by allowing housing to be built without regard to pollution impact. The European Commission is sending a very strong signal to the UK Government to bring Northern Ireland into line. We expect Angela Smith to act without delay."

The United Kingdom Government has until September to provide a formal response to the Commission.

Notes

[1] (back) Letter to Friends of the Earth (Northern Ireland) from European Commission received 2 Aug 2004.

[2] (back) A letter of formal notice is the first stage in bringing legal proceedings against Member States by the European Commission for breaches of European Directives.

[3] (back) The complete list of 56 'hotspots' was published by DOE in October 2002. Copies are available from Friends of the Earth.

[4] (back) Speech to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 7 October 2002 by the then Environment Minister, Dermot Nesbitt MLA.

[5] (back) See press release at here.