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12/09/2012
£10,000 Each For Goldmine Complaint Omagh Residents
Three Omagh residents have won compensation claims of £10,000 each after complaining about lorries travelling to a nearby goldmine.
The Northern Ireland Ombudsman found that the Department of Environment (DoE) did not enforce planning conditions in relation to the mine at Cavanacaw, three miles outside Omagh.
Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of rock were moved by trucks from the goldmine along a narrow road network, without planning consent.
The residents first complained to the DoE itself, and have now received "unreserved apologies" from DoE Planning.
After more than a year of complaints and objections, the Planning Service issued an enforcement notice telling the company to stop its unauthorised removal of the rock.
The apology, signed by the head of DOE Planning, said: "I very much regret the shortcomings in our handling of this case.
"I fully understand that our failure to take effective, prompt enforcement action caused you considerable anxiety, inconvenience, distress, frustration and loss of amenity."
"I am also sorry... that there were inefficiencies in our record keeping.
"And on behalf of the Department of the Environment I wish to offer my unreserved apologies for these failings in administration."
The owners of the mine have said they never knowingly breached any planning conditions.
(NE)
The Northern Ireland Ombudsman found that the Department of Environment (DoE) did not enforce planning conditions in relation to the mine at Cavanacaw, three miles outside Omagh.
Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of rock were moved by trucks from the goldmine along a narrow road network, without planning consent.
The residents first complained to the DoE itself, and have now received "unreserved apologies" from DoE Planning.
After more than a year of complaints and objections, the Planning Service issued an enforcement notice telling the company to stop its unauthorised removal of the rock.
The apology, signed by the head of DOE Planning, said: "I very much regret the shortcomings in our handling of this case.
"I fully understand that our failure to take effective, prompt enforcement action caused you considerable anxiety, inconvenience, distress, frustration and loss of amenity."
"I am also sorry... that there were inefficiencies in our record keeping.
"And on behalf of the Department of the Environment I wish to offer my unreserved apologies for these failings in administration."
The owners of the mine have said they never knowingly breached any planning conditions.
(NE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
