NI planning process comes in for more criticism

The planning process in Northern Ireland may be at the heart of Northern Ireland’s problems in attracting inward investment, a conference in Belfast heard yesterday.

Addressing the conference, entitled ‘Beyond the Process’, at Belfast's Odyssey centre, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) NI director Ian Murray said that it was vital to address issues with regard to the planning process and to continue to work towards streamlining procedures.

He added: “The planning process is slower and more complicated and less able to deliver than before, and we must be aware of the implications that this can have for the economy here.

“Previous RICS chairmen have indicated that Northern Ireland’s competitiveness as an inward investment destination could be jeopardised by the cumbersome planning process which means delays and set-backs to investors who can choose to go elsewhere in the world.”

Yesterday's conference was aimed at addressing issues with the process and was intended to bring benefits to professionals from a range of fields, including surveyors, town planners, investors, developers, architects, local government officials, local politicians and solicitors.

Organised by the University of Ulster in conjunction with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), yesterday's conference speakers included RICS NI Chairman Mike Smith, Pat Quinn, Director of Professional Services at the Planning Service and Denis Rooney of the Institute of Directors.

(MB)