The Court hearing on the National Trust challenge to the decision to approve the Bushmills Dunes golf resort planning application will be held on 27 November.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood had asked for the full hearing to be expedited. He has been successful in his request as this is the earliest opportunity for the hearing.

Mr Attwood said: "I made the Bushmills Dunes planning decision after very careful consideration of all the environmental and heritage issues and the wider benefits to the economy and the tourism industry. Those benefits cannot be delivered if this case is unduly delayed in the Courts.

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"I am confident that the decision to grant planning permission was the right one. However the issues cannot be properly dealt with at a leave hearing. I believe therefore that it is in the public interest to be decisive and move to a full hearing without any further undue delay."

The Minister continued: "I welcome the fact that the Court has agreed to hold the judicial review on 27 November - the earliest opportunity available. I believe that my decision will be upheld in Court and I am therefore determined to have the matter brought to a conclusion as soon as possible. This approach will save time and remove the unfortunate uncertainty caused by this legal challenge."

(CD/GK)