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Special economic planning zones proposals backed by Stormont | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Stormont has approved plans to create special economic planning zones, to be designated by the Office of the First and Deputy First Ministers (OFMDFM). | Stormont has approved plans to create special economic planning zones, to be designated by the Office of the First and Deputy First Ministers (OFMDFM). |
In effect, it would mean that OFMDFM would be in charge of planning policy in certain areas, rather than the Environment Minister, Alex Attwood. | In effect, it would mean that OFMDFM would be in charge of planning policy in certain areas, rather than the Environment Minister, Alex Attwood. |
The proposals were opposed by Mr Attwood and green campaigners, but supported by the DUP and Sinn Féin. | |
In a heated debate, 60 MLAs backed the change, with 32 voting against. | In a heated debate, 60 MLAs backed the change, with 32 voting against. |
The creation of "economically significant" planning zones was discussed in the assembly on Monday, as part of proposed amendments to a new planning bill. | |
'Sinn Féin-DUP junta' | |
During the late night debate, Mr Attwood argued that OFMDFM did not have the operational ability to take on new planning powers. | During the late night debate, Mr Attwood argued that OFMDFM did not have the operational ability to take on new planning powers. |
He also said he had received legal advice that the new zones could run foul of European directives, as they did not exclude EU wild birds and habitats directives. | He also said he had received legal advice that the new zones could run foul of European directives, as they did not exclude EU wild birds and habitats directives. |
His SDLP colleague, Dolores Kelly, wanted to know why Sinn Féin and the DUP had not involved the environment minister in their discussions. | |
She said it was "another example of how the Sinn Féin-DUP junta does business" and that it was "all contrary to the Good Friday Agreement". | |
Ulster Unionist Danny Kinahan said that, like many other people, he was "shocked, horrified when we saw the amendment". | Ulster Unionist Danny Kinahan said that, like many other people, he was "shocked, horrified when we saw the amendment". |
Basil McCrea of NI21 said that "they are at a single stroke going to do away with the Department of the Environment". | Basil McCrea of NI21 said that "they are at a single stroke going to do away with the Department of the Environment". |
'Ambush' | 'Ambush' |
"War has been declared on this assembly," he said. | "War has been declared on this assembly," he said. |
The TUV's Jim Allister likened the amendment to an ambush on the environment minister and said it had to be "the most audacious power grab this house has seen for a long time". | The TUV's Jim Allister likened the amendment to an ambush on the environment minister and said it had to be "the most audacious power grab this house has seen for a long time". |
Mr Allister called on the parties opposed to the amendment to quit the executive" and force the issue of opposition in this house". | Mr Allister called on the parties opposed to the amendment to quit the executive" and force the issue of opposition in this house". |
Anna Lo of Alliance, who chairs Stormont's environment committee, said she was "shocked" when she read the amendment to the planning bill. | Anna Lo of Alliance, who chairs Stormont's environment committee, said she was "shocked" when she read the amendment to the planning bill. |
She said the first time she had heard of the proposed changes was the previous week, and the committee had not had time to discuss it. | She said the first time she had heard of the proposed changes was the previous week, and the committee had not had time to discuss it. |
Ms Lo said it would give the DUP and Sinn Féin "the green light to approve fracking in Fermanagh" and said her party would oppose the amendment. | |
'Creating jobs' | 'Creating jobs' |
However, Sinn Féin's Cathal Boylan said it was a measure aimed at "growing the economy" and would not pave the way for fracking. | |
Mr Boylan said it was about creating jobs and "trying to keep our young people here". | Mr Boylan said it was about creating jobs and "trying to keep our young people here". |
The DUP's Simon Hamilton said the amendment represented "another arrow in the economic quiver of Northern Ireland". | The DUP's Simon Hamilton said the amendment represented "another arrow in the economic quiver of Northern Ireland". |
He said his party had the right to bring an amendment at consideration stage. | He said his party had the right to bring an amendment at consideration stage. |
Mr Attwood quoted from part of the economic pact agreed between Downing Street and OFMDFM earlier this month, which stated that: "The executive will establish a new process for economically significant planning applications and make new arrangements in relation to applications for judicial review of planning decisions". | Mr Attwood quoted from part of the economic pact agreed between Downing Street and OFMDFM earlier this month, which stated that: "The executive will establish a new process for economically significant planning applications and make new arrangements in relation to applications for judicial review of planning decisions". |
The SDLP minister questioned whether London should be able to use Northern Ireland "as a place to sample and test new law when it comes to significant planning applications and JRs (judicial reviews)". | The SDLP minister questioned whether London should be able to use Northern Ireland "as a place to sample and test new law when it comes to significant planning applications and JRs (judicial reviews)". |