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1,000 signatures reached
To: Planning Appeals Commission
Make the Public Inquiry into the proposed goldmine in the Sperrins more accessible and transparent
We demand that the Planning Appeals Commission implements the following 3 measures to ensure that the Public Inquiry into the proposed goldmine in the Sperrins is transparent and accessible to the general public:
- Live stream the inquiry.
- Video record the proceedings and make them publicly available online.
- Allow expert witnesses to participate online if they cannot be present.
Why is this important?
The Public Inquiry into the proposed goldmine in the Sperrins was suspended on the 15th January 2025 because the Department for Infrastructure breached their planning regulations in respect of a Transboundary Consultation with the Republic of Ireland. The Commissioner said “the Inquiry has been besieged with difficulties from the start - in relation to Abstraction licences, EIA Regulations & Roads department didn’t engage at all….The planning department of Department for Infrastructure failed to follow its own legislative procedures. I have no option but to accede to the request to suspend the Inquiry, in view of Access to Justice and Right to Participate.”
With no live stream, nor access to online recording or an option to contribute remotely as an expert witness, this inquiry has been anything but public. As a result, many people cannot properly engage with the inquiry because they cannot be present every day due to work commitments, illness, childcare or other caring responsibilities.
All Public Inquiries in England are recorded and available online for 5 years. Why is this not the case here? A precedent was set at the Doraville Inquiry (2019) in N.I. when expert witnesses were allowed to contribute online. When the goldmine inquiry resumes, we demand that the Planning Appeals Commission implement the aforementioned measures.
With no live stream, nor access to online recording or an option to contribute remotely as an expert witness, this inquiry has been anything but public. As a result, many people cannot properly engage with the inquiry because they cannot be present every day due to work commitments, illness, childcare or other caring responsibilities.
All Public Inquiries in England are recorded and available online for 5 years. Why is this not the case here? A precedent was set at the Doraville Inquiry (2019) in N.I. when expert witnesses were allowed to contribute online. When the goldmine inquiry resumes, we demand that the Planning Appeals Commission implement the aforementioned measures.