AQW 35932/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 20/11/2025
Answered On Date: 10/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the rationale as to why DfI Roads has not responded to the Forge Integrated Primary School Planning Application within the statutory timeframe, despite three years of pre-application discussion engagement.

Answer:

My officials engaged fully with the pre-application discussions for the planning application submitted by the Department for Education for the development of a new primary school building for Forge Integrated Primary School. The full planning application was lodged in 2025, and the Department’s pre-application advice in relation to access, movement and parking was not reflected within this submission.

My officials are currently undertaking a robust analysis of the documentation submitted in support of full planning application for this site and will respond to the planning authorities consultation in the coming weeks.

The Department are supportive of the development of the site, however, road safety is a high priority for the Department, and we are committed to working proactively to make our roads safer and to address the needs of all road users. We are acutely aware that children and young people are amongst the most vulnerable groups using our roads, particularly around schools and this must be integral to our assessment and response.