Conservation Planner issue 28 - RSPB
Conservation Planner issue 28 - RSPB
Conservation Planner issue 28 - RSPB
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Sustainable planning rewarded<br />
in Northern Ireland<br />
The Orchard Building at Stranmillis University College in<br />
Belfast has become the first winner of a Sustainable<br />
Planning award by the RTPI NI Branch and the <strong>RSPB</strong>.<br />
Submitted by Scott Wilson and Knox & Clayton Architects,<br />
the design uses natural lighting, a biomass boiler and<br />
sustainable urban drainage to reduce water use and<br />
pollution. The judges were particularly impressed by the<br />
intention of Stranmillis College and the Department of<br />
Education to use the building as a flagship project and<br />
educational tool for local schools.<br />
Orchard Building, Stranmillis<br />
University College<br />
The other finalists were Hill House, a private dwelling in Co<br />
Down that incorporates renewable energy and natural<br />
waste treatment, and the HLF-supported Connswater<br />
Greenway project to develop a green corridor along three<br />
rivers in East Belfast to encourage cycling and walking and<br />
connect communities in the area.<br />
For further information, please contact Claire Ferry,<br />
<strong>Conservation</strong> Officer, Northern Ireland at<br />
claire.ferry@rspb.org.uk<br />
Courtesy of Scott Wilson<br />
Failure to transpose SEA in<br />
Northern Ireland<br />
In September 2007, Justice Weatherup decided on a judicial<br />
review of the Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs)<br />
for the draft Northern Area Plan 2016 and draft Magherafelt<br />
Area Plan 2015. SEAs for Area Plans are required by the<br />
Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes<br />
Regulations (NI) 2004, which transposes Directive 85/337/EC.<br />
Carlingford Lough Special Protection Area<br />
– the draft Newry and Mourne Area Plan<br />
housing proposals pose a potential<br />
sewage pollution threat<br />
David Kjaer (rspb-images.com)<br />
The Judge found two instances of non-transposition of<br />
the Directive:<br />
(i) the absence of a consultation body when the<br />
Department of the Environment (DOE) is also the<br />
responsible body for the development plan or<br />
programme, and<br />
(ii) the absence of appropriate timeframes for the referral to<br />
consultation and for receipt of responses.<br />
In addition, there were two instances of non-compliance<br />
with the Regulations and Directive, namely that:<br />
(i) information in the environmental reports was not in<br />
accordance with the requirements of Schedule 2 of the<br />
2004 Regulations, and<br />
(ii) the environmental reports did not emerge at<br />
appropriate times in order to influence the development<br />
plans in an appropriate manner.<br />
There are serious implications for environmental<br />
governance and the planning system in Northern Ireland.<br />
That the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) cannot be<br />
considered separate from Planning Service (both within<br />
DOE) adds fuel to the current lobby to achieve an<br />
independent environmental protection agency.