Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about illegal dumping near the River Enler at Newtownards road, Comber; what areas in this location are designated as(a) areas of outstanding beauty and (b) sites of special scientific interest; and what action he has (i) taken against dumping (ii) proposes to take, if dumping has ceased at this location; what volume of waste material remains on the site; and if he will make a statement. [28613]
§ Mr. MossThe site is located within the Strangford lough area of outstanding natural beauty and part of it is also situated in the Strangford lough area of special scientific interest. Following representations from residents of the Ballydrain road, the Department of the Environment initiated enforcement action to have illegal dumping stopped and the materials removed from the site. No action was taken on foot of the enforcement notice and summons action has been instigated. The Department's objective is to secure the removal of all the material and to have the site satisfactorily restored. It is not possible to give a precise figure as to the volume of waste remaining on the site.