During 2010, the Utility Regulator completed a consultation on the treatment of the vacant sites within the NIE Land Bank. A number of responses were received and following the consultation, the Utility Regulator concluded that the sites were to be made available to the market for use.
In August we published an update on our website giving stakeholders details of the agent that will be dealing with the sites. This included a timetable for the project and bringing the sites to market.
As a result of the Strategic Asset Reviews carried out, some queries were raised for the sites by the agents that will need clarified. It is believed prudent to clarify queries in advance of marketing, to facilitate as smooth a marketing period as possible. This has a knock on effect of needing to accommodate the Christmas holiday period, and so an extension of the time allowed for receipt of proposals is needed. The subsequently updated milestones for the project are:
1. August 2011 Strategic Asset Review reports completed
2. 01st November 2011 Marketing of sites commences
3. 01st Nov. plus 4 months Period of time allowed for receipt of proposals for the sites