Oral Answers to Questions — Regional Development – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 3:15 pm on 1 February 2016.
T7. Mr Ross asked the Minister for Regional Development, given that she will be aware that DETI has granted an exploratory drilling licence for Woodburn forest in the East Antrim constituency, where Northern Ireland Water owns a portion of the land, what plans are in place to allow that exploratory drilling to take place. (AQT 3417/11-16)
I thank the Member for his question. Northern Ireland Water owns the land at Woodburn forest, and it has agreed to lease a small portion of the forest for the drilling of the well. This work will be undertaken by an independent company under a licence, which, as the Member said, has been awarded by DETI. Planning functions, as he is aware, transferred to local government with effect from 1 April 2015, and the issues of permitted development rights and any requests for a certificate of lawful use of development are the responsibility of the local council planning department. In this instance, the council responsible is Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. I understand that all work will be subject to the approval and agreement of the council, DETI, and DARD's Forest Service, which owns the trees and manages the land as a forest.
The Minister will be aware that any time drilling is involved, there is, quite rightly, concern among the public around safety issues, particularly around water supplies. Has she assessed whether there is any risk to the water supply following on from the exploratory drilling?
I thank the Member for his question. My understanding is that the exploration project at Woodburn has been designed to prevent liquids on site from soaking into the ground below it, thereby protecting the local water courses and ensuring that there will be no adverse impact on the Woodburn river and the dam's catchment. Northern Ireland Water, as the licensed public drinking water provider, has a duty under drinking water quality legislation to assess all potential risks to drinking water sources in the catchments and to put in place appropriate sampling and, where required, any possible mitigation measures. Northern Ireland Water has advised that it is satisfied that the proposed work will have no detrimental impact on the impounding reservoirs or the public water supply.