§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations with the local community took place before the Department of the Environment gave planning permission to White Quarry Industries for quarrying to go ahead in the Black Mountain area of Belfast. [41903]
786W
§ Mr. MossPrior to 1974, express planning permission was not required in Northern Ireland for the continuation of operations in respect of a quarry undertaking which had been in existence when planning control was first introduced in 1944. The Black Mountain quarry was such a quarry undertaking and enjoyed what were known as "existing use rights". Quarry operations were brought under control in 1974 subject to a compensation provision for loss of existing use rights. Since that date eight planning applications for planning permission for the continuation of quarrying at Black Mountain have been granted subject to conditions. Before the applications were determined, notices were placed in local newspapers, in accordance with normal statutory procedures, giving the opportunity for members of the public to make representations and objections which were taken into account before the applications were determined.