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MLA calls for planning inquiry MLA calls for planning inquiry
(about 2 hours later)
An investigation must be held into the approval of a planning application for housing on a greenbelt site, an assembly member has said.An investigation must be held into the approval of a planning application for housing on a greenbelt site, an assembly member has said.
SDLP MLA John Dallat said the assembly environment committee had a duty to ensure no corruption in this case.SDLP MLA John Dallat said the assembly environment committee had a duty to ensure no corruption in this case.
The DUP's Peter Weir said there was no evidence of corruption.The DUP's Peter Weir said there was no evidence of corruption.
The committee agreed to seek further clarification from the Department of Environment on Thursday after some MLAs aired concerns about the case.The committee agreed to seek further clarification from the Department of Environment on Thursday after some MLAs aired concerns about the case.
It followed an Irish News report that a planning official had objected to permission being granted to build 400 homes on land owned by Knock Golf Club. It followed an Irish News report that a planning official had objected to permission being granted to build about 350 homes on land owned by Knock Golf Club.
It was also reported that DUP East Belfast MP Peter Robinson and his wife Iris, then an MP and Castlereagh councillor, had lobbied for the development.It was also reported that DUP East Belfast MP Peter Robinson and his wife Iris, then an MP and Castlereagh councillor, had lobbied for the development.
Originally, the planning application was turned down as it did not meet with guidelines.Originally, the planning application was turned down as it did not meet with guidelines.
This was subsequently amended and won approval, despite the objection from a planning official.This was subsequently amended and won approval, despite the objection from a planning official.
Mr Dallat told the committee there were clear indications that planning officials had been "stepped on".Mr Dallat told the committee there were clear indications that planning officials had been "stepped on".
But the DUP's Peter Weir suggested Mr Dallat should be careful in his language, condemned the inference and said there was no evidence of corruption whatsoever.But the DUP's Peter Weir suggested Mr Dallat should be careful in his language, condemned the inference and said there was no evidence of corruption whatsoever.
The Department has defended the planning decision in correspondence to the committee.The Department has defended the planning decision in correspondence to the committee.