AQW 2282/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 18/02/2020
Answered On Date: 04/03/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to outline (i) the dates on which communication took place between NI Water and Balmoral Golf Club concerning the need to access land for the Sicily/Marguerite Park Flood Alleviation Project; and (ii) the nature of that communication.

Answer:

I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that following the major flooding incident in this area of South Belfast in June 2012, as the lead Agency, the Company developed a multi-million pound project, which aimed to contain floodwaters in the local watercourse flood plain and further reduce the risk of internal property flooding. This option involved the use of part of the flood plain located within the grounds of Balmoral Golf Club. Initial discussions with Balmoral Golf Club commenced in February 2013 and continued until September 2018. During this time there were circa 17 official meetings with the club. Initially these were to discuss proposals/options and provide technical information, before discussions moved onto negotiations relating to compensation for the works.

NI Water made an offer of compensation to the Golf Club based on a valuation provided by Land and Property Services. The Golf Club felt unable to accept the offer, instead proposing up front compensation significantly greater than Land and Property Services’ valuation. Government accounting rules advise that any compensation must be within the boundaries of that determined by Land and Property Services, and as no agreement could be reached NI Water formally closed out negotiations with Balmoral Golf Club on this option on 11th September 2018.