MEP raises concerns over proposed Forest Development
01 March 2008
Jim Allister QC MEP has expressed his concern that plans to build a business park on Forest Service-owned land looks set to be given the go ahead. Mr Allister made his remarks after being made aware of local residents’ concerns about the permanent removal of two and a half acres of forest to make way for the development.
Mr Allister said,
“I am aware of strong local opposition to the locating of a business park development on the particular site being proposed. This opposition is reflected in the sizeable numbers of local residents who have signed a petition against the development.
I am sympathetic with the concerns of these residents, on my understanding that alternative sites on which to locate the site have clearly been passed by, including land currently owned by a committee member of Pomeroy Development Projects Ltd.”
“The sale by Forest Service of forested land for development purposes is contrary to Forest Service’s own guidelines, and falls foul of Planning Policy guidelines, in particular PPS 04. Indeed, the land in question falls outside current development limits for the village. That is why I have written to DOE Minister Arlene Foster on several occasions, asking her to fully investigate how this project ever received approval from Planning Service on the proposed site.”
“The manner in which Forest Service and Planning Service have acquiesced and facilitated what would otherwise be an impossible location for this type of project is frankly amazing. Contrary to the rhetoric of Pomeroy Development Projects, this particular project clearly does not enjoy adequate support from all sections of the community. That is why I asked Minister Foster to put the project on hold until all outstanding issues could be addressed, thereby ensuring a project which could enjoy the confidence of all residents. I am disappointed that the Minister has instead chosen to brush these outstanding issues under the carpet, and instead has referred the matter back to Planning Service.”
ENDS
