Full planning permission has been approved for the North-South Interconnector.

The proposed development will create a cross border electricity line with the Republic of Ireland.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) published the independent report prepared by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) following a public inquiry into the proposal held in February 2017.

During the four-day hearing, the Commission heard submissions and considered evidence from all parties before presenting its findings to the Department. The PAC report includes full consideration of the planning issues and recommends that planning permission is granted. Importantly, the report endorses the significant strategic importance of the development for Northern Ireland at an international, national and regional level and its compliance with planning policy.

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Ellvena Graham, President of NI Chamber, said: "The delivery of the North South Interconnector has been amongst the top infrastructure priorities for our members since 2009.

"We therefore welcome the department's decision to grant permission for the project despite the lack of an Infrastructure Minister at Stormont – an action which will significantly speed up the delivery of the project.

"The North South Interconnector is urgently required to improve security of electricity supply in Northern Ireland. To this regard, the timely delivery of the proposed interconnector will allow the all-island wholesale electricity market to work more efficiently, enabling wider competition between power generators and electricity suppliers throughout the island, and therefore ensuring that future electricity prices will be as competitive as possible."

North Down DUP MLA Gordon Dunne welcomed the announcement.

He said: "I believe this development will open up competition within the energy market and will create further opportunities for more competitive pricing with benefits for both domestic and commercial customers in Northern Ireland. This development will help provide security of supply for all Consumers in the long term with grid connections throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

"It is important that the land acquisition required for the proposed new network construction is carried out with full consultation with the local farmers and the rural communities to ensure the work is carried out efficiently and effectively while assuring a fair return for all parties involved in this huge investment within our energy infrastructure."

(CD/LM)