AQW 20433/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 15/06/2021
Answered On Date: 28/06/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether his Department intends to review extant planning permissions for peat extraction in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

I recently launched a twelve week public consultation on the Draft Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy 2021-2040 (available at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/ni-peatland-strategy-consultation). This draft Strategy document has been developed by my Department, and outlines 6 Strategic Objectives and a number of associated actions. It does not set out policy options or indicate a particular policy position at this stage.

There is a proposed action in the draft strategy to “Review planning approvals for peatland extraction sites to ensure that all planning conditions are adhered to, including responsibility for reinstatement/restoration”.

As recommendations and public views are sought through the public consultation process, any comment from me at this stage may influence the view of respondents and I do not wish to pre-empt the outcome of this process. I would, however, like to encourage you to formally respond to these and any other questions you may have a viewpoint on, by submitting a response to the consultation. This will ensure your important comments, are captured as part of the final assessment. All comments will be welcome and will strengthen consultation process. I intend to seek Executive approval before publishing an agreed Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy.