To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) the number of planning applications NI Water received for the Ards and North Down local council area, over the last five years, broken down by total number per year; (ii) the number of these applications approved each year; (iii) the number of these applications rejected by NI Water; and (iv) whether the rejected applications were for residential or businesses.

The number of planning applications and responses from NI Water in the Ards and North Down Council area is an operational matter for NI Water; therefore, I have requested the required information. NI Water advice in respect of the member’s question is detailed in the table below. This information relates to responses that NI Water has provided to the Ards and North Down Council Planning Department, which may include reasons for refusal. It remains within the remit and responsibility of the Local Planning Authority, as to whether NI Water’s recommendations are accepted.

* Represents an incomplete year. Information only started being collected from June 2021.

For any future queries relating to operational matters, you should contact NI Water directly, through the Elected Representatives Hotline on 0345 300 6461 or through waterline@niwater.com.

Making direct contact with NI Water will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of limited public resources.