Anger at Minister's response to Planning concerns

The controversial development in Craigahulliar has been objected to by local residents and the council, who have employed a Planning Consultant to produce a report on the site.

A block-making plant currently exists on the site, but the residents feel the new concrete facility will make their lives even more difficult.

In June the Coleraine Times spoke to residents who said if the plant gets the go ahead they will be living in an area that resembles a dirty, dark, dusty prison.

The council contacted Mr Poots to highlight these concerns and a number of other issues.

But a response from the MLA, in which he states: "the statutory consultees are content that the required conditions are met therefore I am not in a position to ignore their views and overturn this decision", drew criticism from local councillors at last Tuesday's Planning Committee meeting.

Councillor Christine Alexander, who has built up a close relationship with the residents said Mr Poots has not addressed the issues.

"We raised a number of very important issues and these have not been addressed," said Cllr Alexander.

"We are continually being stonewalled. The residents said to me it's like David versus Goliath and Mr Poots is propping up Goliath!"

Cllr Norman Hillis agreed and said there was a lack of understanding from the minister.

"We employed a planning consultant who produced a detailed list of our concerns and we were promised a substantive reply but we have received nothing back," he said.

"This is the sort of thing which used to happen when we had English ministers here who didn't understand what was happening locally."

Cllr Sandy Gilkinson echoed Cllr Hillis' comments and added: "Mr Poots looks to have been badly advised by civil servants, he should be able to go against their decisions."

This point was reinforced by Cllr Billy Leonard who called for local accountability.

"Mr Poots says he's the top planning officer yet he says he is not in the position to overturn their decision, local accountability should come in to action."

Cllr Maurice Bradley proposed that Mr Poots be invited to the site to see first hand what their concerns are.

"If Mr Poots visited the site he would see the high volume of traffic on these roads and the other issues we have raised. I too feel he's been badly advised, but maybe there's more to this decision than meets the eye," he said.

Councillors voted in favour of inviting Mr Poots to the site and asking him again for a response to their concerns.