Indaver has welcomed confirmation of the the timetable for the latest round of Further Environmental Information on the arc21 Hightown Quarry planning application as outlined in the press release shared by arc21 today (see below). We hope this will now enable a robust and evidence-based planning decision to be made by the DfI Minister early next year which will then trigger the completion of the public procurement process where the six constituent councils forming the arc21 statutory joint committee will ultimately decide if the proposed development proceeds.
arc21 Press Release:
Timetable confirmed for further environmental information on arc21 Hightown Quarry planning application
A timetable has been confirmed for the submission of further environmental information relating to arc21’s planning application for residual waste treatment facilities at Hightown Quarry, Mallusk.
The updated material is expected to be submitted to the Department for Infrastructure by 5 December 2026. It will include technical clarifications and updated environmental information requested through the statutory planning process.
An arc21 spokesperson said:
“The additional work is well advanced and reflects the importance of ensuring that the planning authority and statutory consultees have the most up-to-date information available.
Submission of the material will allow the statutory consultation and planning assessment processes to progress. arc21 supports a thorough, transparent and evidence-based determination of the application.”
Since it was first submitted in 2014, the application has progressed through extensive statutory consultation, planning and legal processes. The forthcoming submission marks a further important step towards enabling the application to be considered on the basis of the most current environmental information.
A planning determination will provide greater clarity on the way forward and allow constituent councils to consider the next steps through their respective governance arrangements.