Minister outlines further planning reforms

Environment Minister Angela Smith today launched further proposals to tackle delays and strengthen the planning system.

The consultation paper, entitled 'Reforming Planning: Proposals to Amend Primary Planning Legislation in Northern Ireland', is another step in the DOE’s 'Planning to Deliver' programme to modernise and reform the planning system.

The wide ranging legislative proposals contained in the consultation paper are intended to speed up the development control and appeal processes, strengthen control in protecting and enhancing the built and natural environment, improve enforcement and aid the preparation of development plans.

This consultation covers key proposals which include:

• reducing the normal duration of planning permissions from five years to three to speed up development and ensure new policies take effect more quickly on the ground;
• making disabled access a primary consideration at the start of the development process;
• the review of quarry permissions to ensure they operate under modern environmental standards;
• regulating the expansion of large retail outlets with new controls on the addition of mezzanine floors;
• new powers to protect buildings in conservation areas from demolition before designation takes effect.

Angela Smith said: “I am committed to an enhanced and efficient planning system which delivers quality and timely development decisions. These legislative proposals will help to achieve this, but it is also vital that development is sustainable. That is why this paper also details new measures that will protect and enhance both the built and natural environments."

The consultation is over a 12 week period and the consultation exercise paper is available on the Planning Service web-site at www.planningni.gov.uk.

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