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28/07/2005
Planning service procedures to be further streamlined
Environment Minister Jeff Rooker has announced the introduction of further measures to speed up the planning process in Northern Ireland.
The Minister said the new measures were in response to acute pressures on the planning system and have the twin aim of improving throughput at a difficult time and making best use of available resources.
Mr Rooker also said that there had been a 30% rise in planning applications, and that while improvements to the planning process were already in train, further, immediate, steps were needed to cope with the workload.
He continued: "We also need to strengthen our focus on service delivery, particularly for the economically and socially more significant applications. The action that will be taken is not intended to lessen or weaken the essential role that Council consultations play in the planning process.
"Consultation with locally elected representatives is an essential part of the planning process and we remain committed to ensuring that the consultation is meaningful and that the views of Councils are taken into account."
In the three year period up to March 2005, the total number of planning applications received increased by 30%. This trend is continuing, with an 11% increase in the first quarter of the new financial year compared to the same period last year.
The Modernising Planning Processes (MPP) Implementation Plan published in February 2003 set out a range of reforms affecting all aspects of the process, including proposed new arrangements for consultation with Councils.
(MB/SP)
The Minister said the new measures were in response to acute pressures on the planning system and have the twin aim of improving throughput at a difficult time and making best use of available resources.
Mr Rooker also said that there had been a 30% rise in planning applications, and that while improvements to the planning process were already in train, further, immediate, steps were needed to cope with the workload.
He continued: "We also need to strengthen our focus on service delivery, particularly for the economically and socially more significant applications. The action that will be taken is not intended to lessen or weaken the essential role that Council consultations play in the planning process.
"Consultation with locally elected representatives is an essential part of the planning process and we remain committed to ensuring that the consultation is meaningful and that the views of Councils are taken into account."
In the three year period up to March 2005, the total number of planning applications received increased by 30%. This trend is continuing, with an 11% increase in the first quarter of the new financial year compared to the same period last year.
The Modernising Planning Processes (MPP) Implementation Plan published in February 2003 set out a range of reforms affecting all aspects of the process, including proposed new arrangements for consultation with Councils.
(MB/SP)
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