Speeches on Planning and Environment in Northern Ireland Assembly. Politics news by former Green Party MLA and North Down Councillor Brian Wilson (Bangor NI).
Northern Ireland Assembly, Monday 23 March 2011 I declare an interest as a member of North Down Borough Council who has been involved in very many planning applications. The Bill is obviously one of the most important to have come before the Assembly. However, I am concerned about its impact over the next decades and about its late […]
Planning Bill: Final Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Planning / EnvironmentNorthern Ireland Assembly, 08 March 2011 I will deal first with third-party appeals. In my election campaign, I said that, if I was elected to the Assembly, I would promote third-party appeals. Therefore, I welcome this amendment. However, I now see that, because of the petition of concern, my vote on the issue becomes irrelevant. Not
Planning Bill: Consideration Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Planning / Environment
Northern Ireland Assembly, Monday 07 March 2011 I welcome the amendment. High hedges and trees have been a major issue in my constituency. As a member of North Down Borough Council, I have dealt with many such cases over the past 30 years. Indeed, I was involved in drawing up a number of my constituents’ responses to Lord Rooker’s consultation,
High Hedges Bill: Further Consideration Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Green Issues, Planning / Environment
Northern Ireland Assembly, Monday 01 March 2011 I welcome the Bill, which is long overdue. It is time that we had an update to the protection of wildlife. As the Chairperson said, perhaps it does not go far enough. Nevertheless, there is much in the legislation to welcome. It is important that the Bill will introduce
Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill: Final Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Animal Welfare, Assembly, Green Issues, Planning / Environment
Northern Ireland Assembly, 28 February 2011 I have supported a levy on plastic bags for many years and I, therefore, welcome the Bill. I support it not on economic grounds — although something like £4·7 million for the green new deal, to which other Members referred, would be welcome — but on environmental grounds. Indeed,
Single Use Plastic Bags Bill: Second Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Finance, Planning / EnvironmentNorthern Ireland Assembly, 21 February 2011 I too welcome the legislation. High hedges are a very common problem in North Down. In fact, I have been involved in a number of disputes — [Laughter.] Sorry, I have been involved in trying to resolve a number of disputes between neighbours. They are extremely difficult and some people are particularly
High Hedges Bill: Consideration Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Green Issues, Planning / Environment
Northern Ireland Assembly, 07 February 2011 It was 40 years ago when my former colleague the late MP for Bangor Bertie McConnell first introduced such a Bill to the old Northern Ireland Parliament. Although it was passed by the Commons, it was delayed by the Senate and fell when the Parliament was abolished in 1972. My North Down Alliance
Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill: Further Consideration Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Animal Welfare, Assembly, Green Issues, Planning / EnvironmentNorthern Ireland Assembly, 14 December 2010 The Planning Bill is probably the most important Bill to come before the Assembly, as it will affect all planning decisions for decades to come. To develop our economy, we need a new planning system, as the present system is not fit for purpose. No one is happy with the
Planning Bill: Second Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Local Government, Planning / Environment
Northern Ireland Assembly, 16 November 2010 I ask the Minister for Regional Development whether NI Water has a programme for disposing of reservoirs that are surplus to requirement in North Down and whether the local council would be given the first option of purchase. (AQO 521/11) Conor Murphy (Sinn Féin) I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that it currently owns seven
Northern Ireland Assembly, Monday 05 October 2010 I support the motion and the amendment. I am delighted to see such unanimity in the Chamber today. The Green Party has been a long-standing supporter of the green new deal. Indeed, it was a supporter long before the green new deal group was set up, and our party manifesto for
Green New Deal (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Green Issues, Planning / Environment