Planning Application Progress
Update at 15 September 2008

ADDENDUM TO ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT SUBMITTED

As previously reported, by the end of 2007 we had secured the necessary comfort from Planning Service to start work on the additional information required by some of the consultees who were asked for their views on the original Environmental Statement submitted with the application in May 2006. Planning Service provided some direction on the information required in December 2007 and our consultant team spent the first half of this year working through the queries and questions with the key consultees. The additional information was submitted in the form of an ‘Addendum’ to the Environmental Statement on 21 July 2008.

One of the main objectives of this lengthy document - adding almost a further 1,000 pages to the environmental information submitted to date - is to explain our view that the project will not have a negative impact on Larne Lough. European Directives require the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (formerly Environment & Heritage Service) and, in turn, Planning Service, to be comfortable with our assessment before granting planning permission. We are as concerned to ensure that the project does no harm to the Lough as the decision makers. To assist in this judgement, the document includes several management plans which explain the strategy behind important issues such as the future management of the harbour area, ensuring waste generated during major events is properly handled and that the construction process is as sensitive as possible.

The document also provides further information on the various studies which have been undertaken on ground conditions at the site, deals with highways related queries from Roads Service, and picks up on several other loose ends which emerged during the consultation process.

Planning Service has passed the package to the consultees for further
comment and we intend to have follow-up meetings with any agencies who
have additional questions and queries in the autumn.

The document has been advertised in the local press and is available for
inspection at the offices of Larne Borough Council on Victoria Road.