Ards and Down Area Plan

HL Deb 22 July 2004 vol 664 cc65-6WA

Lord Kilcooney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the draft Ards and Down Area Plan was published; when a decision was made to hold a public inquiry; when the public inquiry will commence; and when it is expected to report; and [HL3717]

2000–01 for the three sports of soccer, Gaelic games and rugby. The following table shows the funding that was allocated for these sports for the three-year period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2003.

What action they are taking to control developments which would be in conflict with the draft Ards and Down Area Plan. [HL3718]

Baroness Amos

The draft Ards and Down Area Plan was published on 10 December 2002. The decision to hold a public inquiry was made in September 2003. The inquiry is programmed to commence on 10 January 2005. The timing of the report will depend on the time required by the Planning Appeals Commission to hold the inquiry and report its findings to the Department of the Environment's planning service.

In considering planning applications, the planning service will continue to give due regard to the draft area plan as a material consideration. Urgent consideration is also being given to whether any further action is needed in this respect at a policy level.