Northern Ireland Planning Service

Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Plan Framework: Minerals Protection of Lignite Resources

Policy MIN 1 Protection of the Lignite Resource
Within the designated Lignite Resource Area, planning permission will not be granted for any new construction other than structures related to and necessary for businesses already established there, and improvements, extensions and replacements of occupied dwellings.
On land in close proximity to the protected resource, planning applications will be assessed on their merits in relation to the Department’s contemporary knowledge of lignite exploitation requirements.
The Department will seek to ensure that essential mining operations are not prejudiced by new developments located where they are likely to suffer nuisance as a result of those operations.
Minerals have been, and are, discovered from time to time which are particularly valuable to the regional economy. Where the existence of such a mineral resource has been proven to standards it deems acceptable, the Department will seek to ensure that surface development does not prejudice future exploitation. In the Northern Plan area the lignite deposit at Ballymoney, known to exist for a number of years, is recognised as an important and valuable mineral resource, part of which has been proven to be of internationally recognised standards. This has been protected in the past and needs continued protection by a defined policy area. Lignite remains Northern Ireland’s only indigenous source of fuel and for this reason alone safeguards are required to ensure the reserves remain exploitable if and when the need arises. The lignite reserves in Northern Ireland are included within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s overall long term Energy Strategy Framework for Northern Ireland.
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