HC Deb 02 November 1988 vol 139 cc651-2W
Mr. Peter Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many areas of special scientific interest have been declared in Northern Ireland under the terms of the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

Mr. Needham

To date, 20.

Mr. Peter Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland excluded the area known as BP1 when confirming the Inner Belfast Lough area of special scientific interest.

Mr. Needham

When the Inner Belfast Lough area of special scientific interest was confirmed on 28 April 1988 the pool known as BP1, which had been very largely infilled prior to the declaration, was removed from the ASSI since, in addition to the area being heavily altered, the pressures for development were such as to mitigate against its value as part of the ASSI. The area concerned is prime development land and likely to be required for port-related facilities by the Belfast harbour commissioners. In the circumstances the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland had to consider the conflicting interests of important commercial development and the conservation of this relatively small part of the ASSI.

Mr. Peter Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if non-scientific criteria were taken into account during consideration of the confirmation on the Inner Belfast Lough area of special scientific interest.

Mr. Needham

Yes.

Mr. Peter Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has any plans to designate additional areas of special scientific interest within Belfast Lough.

Mr. Needham

No, however the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is considering the declaration of further areas of special scientific interest on the north and south shores of Belfast Lough.