Supreme Court rejects gas cavern appeal bid

The Supreme Court has refused an application by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) for permission to appeal a ruling on the gas storage caverns project in County Antrim.

Daera had gone directly to the UK's highest court after their request to appeal to it was rejected by the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal.

In June, campaigners won their judicial review against the plan to construct seven large caverns under Larne Lough.

The Court of Appeal ruled that it was cross-cutting in nature and should have been decided by the Executive rather than a single minister.

The Daera Minister, Andrew Muir, sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court on constitutional grounds.

In a statement on Friday, the minister said he noted and respected the Supreme Court decision.

He said the application "did not relate to the environmental merits of the decision" but was focused "upon the constitutional issues arising".

Those issues, the minister said, included "the potentially very significant implications for the decision-making threshold of individual ministers."

"It will take time to fully understand the implications for my Department and the wider functioning of government," Muir added.

Lisa Dobbie from the No Gas Caverns group took the original judicial review case.

She welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to reject Daera's request.

"Today's announcement underscores the power of communities to affect change. The people of Islandmagee love the place where they live.

"Ordinary people had to take extraordinary steps to protect people, place and planet. We hope that this provides inspiration for all those who wish to take a stand."

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland supported her case.

Director James Orr said it had been "a huge step forward for climate justice, for cleaner energy and for the protection of nature".