§ Mr. Clifford ForsytheTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking in(a) the Antrim borough council area and (b) the Newtownabbey borough council area to tidy up and maintain green areas provided in private and public housing developments at the insistence of the Department of Environment planning service.
§ Mr. HanleyIt is not the practice of the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland, as planning authority, when granting planning permission for housing developments, to impose conditions requiring the provision of open space areas for public use. Where a developer provides open space at his own initiative the responsibility for maintenance would rest with him. He is normally advised to make maintenance arrangements with the local council. The Department of Environment for Northern Ireland therefore does not take action to tidy up areas such as this. The responsibility for maintaining any open space areas in public housing estates lies with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.