DOE’s planning service becomes more open

The DOE’s Planning Service is set to become more open and their planning process more accessible from November 19.

The Assistant Director of Corporate Planning Services, Harry Baird, said the measures aimed to improve the overall accessibility to the planning process, in turn making it more open and transparent.

The key new measures include:

• Letting people know the reasons for a planning decision



• Making representations on planning applications, including objections publicly, available



• Making available details of consultation with District Councils



• Enhanced access to the planning application file



• Measures to highlight disputed facts



• Letting people know about the planning procedure

Mr Baird said: “I believe these measures will enhance accessibility and also protect the overall public interest. It is a commitment we have made under the Programme for Government.

“The Planning Service already has a fair degree of openness in the form of the public availability of its planning register, public advertisements, and planning clinics. These new measures, however, will significantly enhance the customer focus of the Planning Service.”

Planning Service is producing a leaflet, which explains simply the planning process. This will be available at all Planning Offices on the same date of the Planning Service’s new strategy. (MB)