Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment her Department has made of the wildlife effects of an application to build three houses at 55 Crawfordsburn Road, Newtownard, upon the area known as the Golden Glen. [2018]
Mr. MurphyResponsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Environment and Heritage Service under its chief executive, Mr. Robert Martin. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from J. S. Faulkner to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 4 June 1997:
As Chief Executive of Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), Mr. Robert Martin is responsible for all operational aspects of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland's environmental policies. On his behalf I am responding to the Parliamentary Question which you put down in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 4 June 1997, regarding the impact on wildlife of a planning application to build 3 houses at 55 Crawfordsburn Road, Newtownards.I wish to confirm that the application submitted for development at the above location was passed for comment by Planning Service to Environment and Heritage Service. After consideration of the content of the application EHS is of the opinion that the proposal 435W will have no direct impact on the nature conservation value of the Golden Glen. Development does not extend down to the edge of the pond and the majority of the woodland will be retained undisturbed. As a safeguard however, although no signs of badger activity were noted in the areas to be impacted by development, EHS will recommend to Planning Service that a badger survey be undertaken by a recognised expert.I trust you will find this reply helpful.