29/11/2007
Minister Is Planning For Reform
Northern Ireland is to benefit from a wide-ranging reform of the planning system.
NI Assembly Environment Minister, Arlene Foster has announced her intention to 'bring forward' proposals and has appointed an independent expert advisor.
"I am announcing the appointment of Professor Greg Lloyd from the University of Liverpool, who will provide me with an independent opinion on what medium to long-term reform measures we need to take and to work with officials on how best these might be implemented," the Minister said.
She also acknowledged the importance of the planning system in delivering the Assembly Executive’s goals of a prosperous and modern Northern Ireland, in particular its role in ensuring that Northern Ireland had the right public infrastructure in place in terms of hospitals, schools, roads and sewage services to meet the needs of its citizens and industry: "I want a planning system that supports and encourages sustainable economic growth while protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment.
“I want to see a planning system which delivers for everyone in Northern Ireland.
"No aspect of planning will be left untouched in the quest for a more streamlined development plan system, a more effective development control system, improved efficiency of processing and greater certainty about timescales," she concluded, while also emphasised that any new processes should allow full and open consultation and should engage communities.
(BMcC)
NI Assembly Environment Minister, Arlene Foster has announced her intention to 'bring forward' proposals and has appointed an independent expert advisor.
"I am announcing the appointment of Professor Greg Lloyd from the University of Liverpool, who will provide me with an independent opinion on what medium to long-term reform measures we need to take and to work with officials on how best these might be implemented," the Minister said.
She also acknowledged the importance of the planning system in delivering the Assembly Executive’s goals of a prosperous and modern Northern Ireland, in particular its role in ensuring that Northern Ireland had the right public infrastructure in place in terms of hospitals, schools, roads and sewage services to meet the needs of its citizens and industry: "I want a planning system that supports and encourages sustainable economic growth while protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment.
“I want to see a planning system which delivers for everyone in Northern Ireland.
"No aspect of planning will be left untouched in the quest for a more streamlined development plan system, a more effective development control system, improved efficiency of processing and greater certainty about timescales," she concluded, while also emphasised that any new processes should allow full and open consultation and should engage communities.
(BMcC)
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