Green Party NI Councillors Barry McKee and Lauren Kendall have welcomed the support of the Planning Committee for their motion that called for DFI Minister Nicola Mallon and her Department to implement and undertake the Review of Old Minerals Permissions.

Green Group Leader Cllr Barry McKee said: "Northern Ireland is the only part of these islands that has still not carried out a review of old mineral permissions. The delays by the DFI in implementing the Review of Old Mineral Permissions legislation must end and Minister Mallon must ensure responsibility and costs for the implementation will be the burden of her Department and not councils like ours in Ards and North Down."

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Holywood and Clandeboye Councillor Lauren Kendall said: "Environmental damage to priority habitats has taken place all over Northern Ireland as a result of dated permissions granted in the 1960's. The continued inertia by the Department has had a devastating effect on our environment and the lives of residents in places like Fishquarter in Kircubbin and Craigall Rocks, reviews of old mineral permissions must happen urgently and it is for the Department to implement."