To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether it is NI Water's policy to refuse all planning applications across the Strangford constituency, in order to negotiate a better budget, during the multi-year budget period.

The issue you have raised is an operational matter for NI Water; however, I have sought the required information.

NI Water has advised my department that it is a statutory consultee to the Local Planning Authorities and, as such, provides guidance to planners as part of the planning process. Ultimately, the decision to approve, refuse, or condition planning applications rests solely with the relevant planning authority, not with NI Water.