Coulter gets support for Tree Planting Move
Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has welcomed the support of the Environment Minister for his proposal to create more green developments through tree planting.
Assemblyman Dr Coulter gained the Minister’s support for his green development plan in an answer to an oral question during ministerial question time at the Assembly.
The UUP MLA said: “I had asked the Minister if she would undertake to explore the potential for green development, as exemplified by cities in Germany such as Rostock and Dresden, where housing densities are maintained at a high level to meet the legitimate demand for town and city homes, while, at the same time, integrating them with a green environment?
“I had also asked her if she would ensure that, in future, native trees and others that are almost native to this country will be included in any density planning?
“The Minister said she would consider my suggestion. She also took on board the view that many of our deciduous trees are not native to Northern Ireland, and wider consideration must be given to the trees that we deal with.
“Given the warnings from top scientists about the impact of global warming and the effects of greenhouse gases, it is important that Northern Ireland plays its role in protecting our environment.
“One way in which our Province can contribute to the overall world fight to maintain the planet is for the Northern Ireland Assembly to implement a comprehensive policy of green development, especially in predominantly rural constituencies such as my own North Antrim,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.