To ask the Minister of the Environment, following his Department’s submission to the Planning Appeals Commission against the application by Arc NI 1 Ltd to build sixteen wind turbines in Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, when they expect to receive a response.

On 11 July 2014, the Department was informed by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) that the applicant had lodged an application for an Article 33 (non determination) appeal. At the request of the PAC, the Department submitted to them twelve draft reasons. The refusal reasons reflect the Department’s concerns with regards the impact of the proposed development on the visual amenity and landscape character of the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the visual appeal and amenity value of local tourist assets, the impact on Magilligan Special Area of Conservation and flora and fauna, the impact on residential amenity and the impact on the public safety of roads users.

To date, the Department has not received further correspondence from the PAC. Jurisdiction has passed to the PAC who will determine the timetabling of this appeal. To date, the Department has not been informed of this timeframe.