Plans for a pub at the Giants Causeway in Co Antrim got the all-clear yesterday after the National Trust abandoned a legal objection.
The trust's decision was welcomed by Mr Seymour Sweeney, managing director of development company, The Nook Partnership. "The company is pleased this matter has now been put to bed," he said.
"It is regrettable the National Trust saw fit to hold up the provision of a much-needed tourist facility and the economic benefits and employment that will flow from this project."
Mr Sweeney said the £500,000 upmarket pub-restaurant would benefit its location, which is immediately adjacent to Northern Ireland's only World Heritage site. He said it was targeted at the thousands of local and international visitors who come to the causeway annually.
Last September the National Trust obtained leave in the High Court in Belfast to apply for a judicial review of planning permission on the grounds that the decision by the Planning Service had contravened planning laws.
But yesterday Mr Justice Kerr was told the trust was withdrawing its action in the light of assurances given by the Department of the Environment.
The judge was also informed that an injunction restraining the developers from continuing construction work was to be lifted forthwith. Work is now expected to resume after the holidays.
The National Trust later issued a statement saying: "Given the widespread public concerns over potential development around the World Heritage site, the trust is satisfied that the reassurances provided and the importance placed by the Minister on the continued conservation of the Giant's Causeway will significantly strengthen the protection of the area."
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said it was always confident that its planning decisions were properly taken in accordance with prevailing policies.
This included particular scrutiny of development proposals within a four-kilometre radius of the causeway World Heritage site.
