Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers
It is important to note that the thresholds are not determinative and that individual projects that fall
below these indicative thresholds and criteria may require EIA just as those above may not. Decisions
on the need for EIA are therefore taken on a case by case basis.
Planning Applcation Fees
Mr Agnew asked the Minister of the Environment what criteria must be met to receive the 50 percent
discount on planning application fees.
(AQW 13106/11-15)
Mr Attwood: The current Planning (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005 No.222) as
amended were made by the Department in pursuance of its powers under Article 127 of the Planning
(Northern Ireland) Order 1991.
The Fee Regulations also make provision for what is commonly referred to as a 50% concessionary
fee with respect to applications made on behalf of certain non-profit making organisations. Schedule
1, Part 1, Paragraph 3 allows for the planning fee payable to be one-half of the amount that would
otherwise be payable where an application or deemed application for planning permission is:
(i) made or deemed to be made by or on behalf of a club, society or other organisation (including any
persons administering a trust) which is not established or conducted for profit; and
(ii) is for the provision of community facilities (including sports grounds) and playing fields; and
(iii) the development is to be carried out on land which is, or is intended to be, occupied by the club,
society or other organisation and to be used wholly or mainly for the carrying out of its objects.
Applicants should make clear on the planning application form that they have applied for the fee
assessed under Schedule 1, Part 1, Paragraph 3 of the Fee Regulations and the Department will
undertake an assessment as to whether an application meets the conditions and is eligible for the
50% concessionary fee.
Some examples of non-profit organisations include Gaelic Athletic Association /Association Football
Clubs, where the players are not paid salaries, registered charities and community groups.
Belfast International Airport: Unauthorised Car Parks
Lord Morrow asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to AQW 11374/11-15, what the figure
quoted represents as a percentage of all car parks at Belfast International Airport.
(AQW 13123/11-15)
Mr Attwood: Since the Department’s response to AQW 11374/11-15, it has been confirmed that
one of the six unauthorised car parks identified is no longer operational, thus 5 car parks remain
unauthorised. The Department are aware of 4 lawful car parks in the vicinity of Belfast International
Airport i.e. 5 out of 9 (56%) are unauthorised and subject to ongoing enforcement proceedings. An
update of the six enforcement cases previously listed is contained in Appendix 1.
APPENDIx 1 – CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS IN RELATION TO UNAUTHORISED CAR PARKING IN THE
VICINITy OF BIA
Case Application Ref Current Status
1
92 Old Ballyrobin
Road, Muckamore
T/2007/0884/F: Temporary Use (for
1 year) as a Park and Ride Facility
(Retrospective)
WA 531
Refused permission 31/03/11
New Enf Notice Issued 8th May 2012
– Appeal lodged
Enforcement action ongoing