Ulster Unionist member of the Assembly committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Leslie Cree has expressed concern that the proposed redeployment of Planning Service staff could prove "critical" to Northern Ireland's economic recovery.

"It is no surprise that morale in the Planning Service is at an all time low," he said.

"While that, and the future prospects of staff, is an issue of grave concern, it is important that we also examine the potential for delays in Planning approvals and the knock-on effects for the economy.

"This cut is being made despite the warning in the Killian Pretty Review - 'Planning Applications: A faster and more responsive system' commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government in Great Britain - that "the results of drastic contractions in local authority planning departments during past economic downturns are still having an impact upon the staffing and skills base of the planning system many years later".

"That is a stark warning, and one which is not being heeded by our Finance Minister, who is advocating this move."

He continued: "Having spoken with senior officials, I am convinced that we are on a hiding to nothing if this goes ahead.

"Indeed I fully agree that to lose experienced, qualified Planning professionals from an already under-resourced service, during a period of economic downturn, as a cost-saving exercise is not only complete madness, but shows a complete disregard for both the Planning reform process and the transfer of Planning powers back to councils under RPA.

"At an individual level, it also seems unlikely that other Departments could undertake to engage the 270 staff affected, or indeed to place them appropriately given their skill sets. In essence, there are likely to be a lot of square pegs for a few round holes."

(NS/BMcC)