'Decision Soon' For NI Golf Resort

The decision on whether to pass the controversial planning application for a golf resort in county Antrim will take another ten weeks after ten years in the planning stage.

Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, has said that he will weigh up the pros and cons of the application carefully before he makes his decision.

If planning is approved the new golf resort will be located on the Antrim coast between Bushmills and the Giant's Causeway. The planning application includes a hotel, guest lodges and a links golf course.

It is alleged in a report by the BBC that the Government wants to 'cash in' on the recent success of Northern Irish golfers Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell by moving forward with the project.

While The National Trust opposes the plans, which it says could threaten the world heritage status of the area. The trust has warned that a boost to the economy should not come at a cost to the environment.

All Northern Ireland's main political parties however are in support of the project and it is claimed that it could inject up to £90m into the local economy.

Politicians are describing the ten year delays by planning officials as a "national scandal" and describing the resort as a "tourist gem".

Mr Attwood said: "Three weeks ago I instructed planning officials to bring forward papers on the planning application at Runkerry and to do so by the end of November. It is my view that all issues around this application have been or are being exhaustively interrogated.

"It is time to make a decision. I plan to do so. I will carefully and fully weigh all factors – environmental, World Heritage Status at the Giant’s Causeway, economic benefit and others - in making the decision."

(LB/BMcC)