DCSDC could launch legal bid against decision prospecting licences

It’s been revealed that Derry City and Strabane District Council may be set to launch a new legal bid against a decision by Northern Ireland’s Department of Economy in relation to prospecting licences.
The department granted a licence for mineral prospecting in advance of a full public enquiry into controversial gold mining plans.
Sinn Féin MP for West Tyrone Órfhlaith Begley has welcomed the prospect of a judicial review being taken against Northern Ireland’s Department of Economy.
It comes after the department granted prospecting licences in advance of a full and independent public inquiry into controversial gold mining plans at Dalradian.
The Department was instructed in 2017 that any planning application in relation to the project must be subject to an inquiry.
On foot of this, the West Tyrone MP has described the department’s decision to push ahead with granting licences as “entirely unacceptable”.
She has welcomed the legal advice received by Derry and Strabane District Council which paves the way for a judicial review on the matter to be carried out.