The SDLP is accusing Transport NI of giving greater consideration to developers who abandon sites, leaving residents to deal with the consequences.

MLA and member of the Regional Development Committee, John Dallat, said residents are left with "estates of dereliction".

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He said: "Delaying action against unscrupulous developers is a poor strategy and one that will come back to haunt the Department if new legislation is not brought forward to put right a terrible wrong that, decades on, appears no closer to being solved.

"I have called for collective action from all departments, including the Planning Service, to put in place clear strategies which will end, once and for all, the fly by night merchants who have left so many people living in unacceptable conditions."

(CD/JP)