September 2009

QPANI ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE 2009

Delegates from the world of quarrying, planning and the environment gathered in Cookstown on Wednesday 30th September for the annual Quarry Products Association NI (QPANI) Environment Conference and Awards presentation. QPANI was delighted to have partnership from NIEA for the second year running with staff from Natural Heritage, Water Resource, Better Regulations and the Planning and Environmental Policy Group, providing an excellent forum for QPANI members to network with their government officials and stakeholders.

Minister of the Environment Edwin Poots, MLA officially opened the conference and presented the QPANI Awards to those companies who have championed best practice in the areas of pollution prevention, carbon reduction, corporate social responsibility and environmental projects.

This year’s conference focused on the wide range of environmental and planning issues currently facing the sector; many of which can be viewed as opportunities for the industry during these testing economic times, such as recycling opportunities and sustainable drainage systems promotion in Northern Ireland. NIEA’s Better Regulation Team updated the industry on the progress our regulators are making on initiatives such as the asphalt and topsoil protocol. Protection and enhancement of aquatic biodiversity was given special consideration with a guest speaker from the Pond Conservation Trust looking at opportunities in quarry restoration for this priority habitat and delegates learning about the successes of the Ballinderry White Clawed Crayfish Project, a prime example of industry partnership.   

The central themes of the conference were the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme and the impact of the Reform of Planning post 2011 when the present environmental improvements scheme comes to a close and planning power will go the eleven super councils. The industry will be paying closer regard to their local community and participation in pre-application discussions with stakeholders to make for a better planning system. At the conference delegates learned about valuable experiences from their counterpart in Scotland.  

Speaking at the conference Environment Minister Edwin Poots assured delegates that the Executive would do all in their power to minimise the difficulties businesses face during these tough economic times.  He added: "This industry has made significant environmental improvements which have occurred since the introduction of the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme in 2004 and I urge these efforts to be maintained.  My officials will work hard with HMRC and QPANI towards the continuation of this scheme."

Closing the conference Pat Lyons, QPANI Chairman remarked on the “important relationships and collaboration industry has with its Government. Favouring the engagement and sector training with key stakeholders, the work with Planning Service on the Mining Waste Directive, continued support from NIEA Natural Heritage for Our Nature with Aggregates delivery and lastly from our Minister today giving his support from his department to assist QPANI and HMRC towards the extension of ALCS.”

Pat Lyons also called for the Minister to take onboard the QPANI position opposing Third Party Rights of Appeal in the approaching Reform of Planning emphasising how disastrous they would for the development industry. Third party appeals are not necessary because the consultation proposals include the statutory requirement for greater involvement with the local community at the start of any planning application process. In addition, the requirement for Pre Application Discussions will also provide a further opportunity for third parties in the local community to become involved and raise issues before an application is submitted.

It is our view along the Construction Employers Federation and CBI, that the new planning system will be sufficiently front loaded that there will be no need for third party appeals to be introduced.

ENDS 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

A synopsis of the conference presentations and the awards will be made electronically available to conference delegates and QPANI Members. Please contact the office if you would to receive a copy.

For further information please contact Gordon Best, Regional Director, Quarry Products Association, Nutts Corner Business Park, Crumlin BT29 4SR

Tel 02890824078 Fax 028 90825103 email info@qpani.org  mobile 07876 136929