Background
Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) is the local authority for Derry and Strabane district in Northern Ireland. DCSDC were concerned that the potential impacts of mineral prospecting on European sites were not sufficiently considered in the Department for the Economy’s approach to granting prospecting licences in Northern Ireland.
Scope of services
RSK Biocensus’s ecology expert witness supported DCSDC in a judicial review of the Department for the Economy’s approach to granting mineral prospecting licences in Northern Ireland. This involves detailed assessment of the likelihood of significant effects (LSE) on sites designated under the EU Habitats Directive associated with prospecting activity.
DCSDC was concerned that insufficient consideration had been given to the implications for European sites in the licensing process. Our expert witness evidence therefore considered in detail the implications for the qualifying habitats and species of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) of exploration techniques such as drilling, trenching and sediment sampling in streams.
RSK Biocensus prepared a proof of evidence in the form of a formal affidavit and reviewed in detail those affidavits provided both by the Department for the Economy and the mining companies involved. We also provided expert advice on the way in which habitats and species can be affected even by the relatively low impact activities associated with mineral prospecting.
Our objective advice indicated that the cumulative effects associated with prospecting across a wide area should not be dismissed. The judicial review has yet to take place.
Impact
We were able to provide a senior member of staff with considerable experience as an expert witness and detailed knowledge of the designation of sites under the EU Habitats Directive, who was able to provide clear and objective advice.