Concerns Raised For Proposed Gas Facility In The Salt Mines

Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson has expressed his concerns about the proposal to build a gas storage facility in the salt mines near Larne.

The Environment Minister is expected to give the proposal the go ahead but there are environmental concerns about how the salt will be removed and its impact on marine life and birds.

Mr Dickson MLA said: "There are many questions that remain unanswered over this proposal. Many environmentalists are concerned about the impact on marine and bird life and I share their reservations.


"I would also need much more information about how they plan to dispose of the salt to create the space to store the gas before I would be able to support this proposal.

"Residents are also concerned over the amount of heavy traffic like lorries and other machinery that will be going through the area while they are building this storage facility.

"I am surprised that Alex Attwood has given the go ahead for this proposal without more information considering the fact that the SDLP often make a great deal of noise about their green credentials."

(CD)