Video: Derry MLA Martina Anderson has said 'worst case scenario' Creggan assessments are hampering development

The Foyle MLA raised a 2018 decision to refuse permission for a major housing development in the Glen during a briefing of the Stormont Infrastructure Committee.

She said the interpretations of planning policy (PPS15) that deals with flood risk and FLD 5 that deals with developments near controlled reservoirs were too strict.

“I say that in the context of what happened in my own constituency of Derry when there were opportunities...for the building of 79 houses and some of those houses were allocated to those more vulnerable in society who had actually been told they were getting those houses,” she said.

The Sinn Féin MLA said an overly stringent interpretation of planning policy was holding back development.

“Account wasn’t taken of the fact that work had been done with that reservoir to strengthen it in the 1990s. As well as that a safety run had been put in place and then a hydro-electric system that at the point of a button could ease any particular pressure,” she said.

She said that if the “globally accepted practice of conducting a three-tier risk assessment” was applied instead of a ‘worst case scenario’ outcome then the development would likely have gone ahead.

“We have got concerns because potential development is being stopped as a consequence of the policy,” she said.

Department of Infrastructure Director of Water and Drainage Policy Linda McHugh said advice was in place to guide planners while they awaited updated legislation.

“We have collectively worked to develop guidance to make it a bit clearer about what approach planners should be taking in the absence of this legislation so that we don’t stop development that really could or should be happening but equally we don’t do something that could actually endanger lives.”