AQW 5319/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 29/06/2020
Answered On Date: 15/07/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, in light of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council's expressed view in its official minutes dated 26 May 2020, that it should not be its responsibility to monitor the decisions of her Department, (i) whether it is the role of her Department to ensure that the operators of the Cavanacaw gold mine are fully compliant with all planning permissions granted by Strategic Planning Division (SPD); and (ii) what monitoring of planning conditions the SPD has carried out since 1 April 2015.

Answer:

The former Department of the Environment granted planning permission for the operations at Cavanacaw in 2015 subject to 59 conditions, several of which contained requirements for submissions to the Department.

Accordingly, my Department has implemented an ongoing monitoring regime for the goldmine at Cavanacaw in collaboration with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. Monitoring includes site inspections, review of the submissions required by conditions, e.g. noise and dust reports; and assessment of progress on matters such as landscaping and restoration.

My Department will notify the local council of alleged breaches and provide follow up assessments of compliance.

I understand that the local council has already taken enforcement action subsequent to the receipt of complaints from the Department and its own investigations.