The Infrastructure Minister is to change permitted development rights for mineral exploration in relation to the exploratory drilling at Woodburn Forest Park near Carrickfergus.

Minister Chris Hazzard confirmed he will put forward new legislation to ensure exploration for oil and gas will require full planning permission.

Minister Hazzard said: "Following a call for evidence on permitted development rights for mineral exploration the overwhelming response was in favour of change to the existing system that permits exploration without a planning application.

"Given this, I intend to propose to the Executive a change to the current legislation policy and procedures to remove permitted development rights for oil and gas exploration so that, in the future proposals to explore for oil and gas would require the submission of a planning application which would be subject to the full rigours of the planning process including environmental impact assessment and public consultation.

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"As Minister with responsibility for planning I aim to continue to improve our planning system and to make sure that it is effective and efficient and that it operates in the wider public interest.

"I am committed to ensuring that it delivers for local communities and the region as a whole and that the planning system addresses the present as well as the long term future needs of our society."

Sinn Féin MLA Oliver McMullan welcomed the announcement.

Mr McMullan said: "There are serious concerns about the handling of the process about how the application for drilling was handled at Woodburn.

"Was former Environment Minister Mark H Durkan asleep at the wheel during his tenure in office given the serious concerns and risks associated with oil explorations including air pollution, oil spills, chemicals, noise pollution and increased traffic?

"It's scandalous that a licence was granted by the former Department of the Environment without a full environmental impact assessment.

"There are also concerns that exploration including for hydrocarbons is covered under Permitted Development Rights which are really designed to deal with minor housing issues.

"When these rights were granted it allowed the company to go ahead with drilling activities without any need for planning permission. It is unacceptable that these activities are allowed under Permitted Development Rights."

(CD/JP)