Concerns have been raised over the A5 project in Antrim after the Department for Infrastructure decided not to appeal against a Court ruling overturning its decision to grant permission for a £240 million waste incinerator in Mallusk.

Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley said the concerns are "understandable" however the two projects are "very different cases".

She said: "The court was clear that Hightown needed Executive approval because it was a 'controversial and cross-cutting' project. The A5 is in a very different position because it already has Executive approval. In fact, it is an Executive flagship project and the last minister Chris Hazzard put clear directions in place for the Department to proceed. There is therefore, no need for officials to take a different approach from that which has already been clearly set out.

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"I have been in contact with the Department for Infrastructure and they remain confident that they still have a very strong case with regard to the current legal objections before the courts. Providing that case is resolved as expected, there is no reason why the A5 cannot proceed as planned."

(CD/MH)