To ask the Minister of the Environment in light of Section 29 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, to detail why he called in and subsequently approved planning application C/2011/0459/F by Cam Burn Wind Farm Ltd.

I refer to your previous correspondence AQW 50303/11-16 and would reiterate my previous comments.

I was contacted by the applicant who outlined the recent history of the case since it had transferred to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council for processing prior to 1 April 2015. My reasons for calling in the planning application were due to the planning history of this application and the particular difficulties arising from the current DETI proposals concerning the qualifying date of 30 October 2015 for the NI Renewables Obligation Scheme. I also noted the potential economic and environmental contribution from this project.

In reaching my decision I took account of the report and recommendation of my officials. I was also aware of the strong level of public representation in both objection to, and support of, the application. The key issues I considered in the determination of the application were the potential visual impact on the wider landscape of the area and the potential impact on nearby residents. Overall I considered that these impacts would not be unacceptably adverse and that the proposal met the requirements of planning policy. A Notice of Opinion to approve the application issued on 30 October 2015.

The Council has the opportunity to request a hearing within 28 days from the date of the notice. If so requested, the Department will afford it an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by the Planning Appeals Commission. If no such request is made, the planning permission will issue. If a request is made then a planning permission would not issue until a report is received from the PAC. The final decision would still rest with the Department.