The Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre controversy surrounding the Fermanagh/South Tyrone Minister, Arlene Foster took a new twist this week as it emerged the DoE's own Environment chiefs strongly recommended rejecting the private sector venture Ms Foster has indicated she is 'minded' to approve.

Disclosure of the firm stance adopted by the Department's Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) will add to the row surrounding the DUP Minister's views on the scheme tabled by businessman, Seymour Sweeney.

CONTROVERSIAL

Meanwhile, it has been discovered that Mr Sweeney, a DUP member, used Party leader, Ian Paisley's name in a grant application for his controversial plans. The developer listed Dr Paisley as a prospective trustee of his planned Causeway Centre in an unsuccessful submission for Heritage Lottery Fund money in 2002.

The views of EHS on Mr Sweeney's planning application were spelt out in a document sent to DoE Planning Service in December 2002.

Written by Dr John Faulkner, its director of Natural Heritage, the letter stated: "EHS has major concerns in relation to this proposal and recommends that planning permission be refused."

Dr Faulkner proposed a rejection on the grounds that Mr Sweeney's blueprint would breach three separate policies relating to the protection of the Causeway's setting.

Draft reasons for rejection were drawn up, although the option of a public inquiry was also floated at one point.

However, the final advice given to Mrs Foster by top officials in the Planning Service's planning management board remains unknown at present.

FINAL DECISION

The Minister stated on September 10 that she was 'of a mind' to grant approval. She emphasised again in the Assembly on Monday of this week that a final decision has yet to be taken.

Mrs Foster has made clear no one made any representations to her on the proposal and that she was unaware of Mr Sweeney's DUP membership when she reached her preliminary view.

Her Party, nevertheless, has been dogged by 'cronyism' allegations, mainly because of the strong support given to the businessman over a number of years by Ian Paisley Jnr.