Poots Backs Belfast Incinerator Plan Amid Fresh Overhaul Of Planning System

The Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots has launched proposals for the most sweeping reform of Northern Ireland's planning system for over 30 years.

He has also said that the twice rejected proposal for a waste incinerator on the north foreshore of Belfast Lough is "still the best option for dealing with the city's waste".

Even though the idea was recently rejected by city councillors - for the second time - the new Stormont Environment Minister (pictured here) believes it is the best option and he wants the issue re-examined.

Mr Poots said EU landfill levies will cost Belfast ratepayers £2.4m a year otherwise.

Meanwhile, the Minister has been outlining his proposed reforms on planning to deliver a more effective and responsive system.

He said: "I believe these proposals will help transform our mainly regulatory planning system into a more responsive one which helps to enable appropriate development and manage it in the public interest to achieve sustainable economic growth."

He said: "A reformed planning system should enable more timely decision-making in ways which are transparent, demonstrably fair and deliver better quality development decisions.

"No one should underestimate the scale of the reform programme, particularly when combined with the transfer of responsibility for the majority of planning functions to the new councils."

The reforms include:

• A new streamlined, fit for purpose and responsive local development plan system which would enable district councils, communities and developers to work together to prepare plans setting a clear and realistic vision of how places should change and what they will be like in the future.
• Performance agreements, pre-application community consultation and pre-determination council hearings to improve efficiency, provide greater certainty about timescales and enhance transparency and openness.
• An expansion of the list of statutory consultees to ensure relevant statutory bodies are consulted by the planning authorities. A statutory obligation will also be introduced on consultees to respond within a specified timeframe.
• A new regime of development management, changing the culture of the planning application process to ensure it is responsive to different types of proposals to help deliver development; improve efficiency in determining applications; and enhance community involvement at appropriate points in the process.
• Views are also being sought on whether it should be a criminal offence for someone to carry out development without planning permission.

The Minister added: "I believe that the publication of the consultation paper lays the foundation for transforming the current planning system and is a significant step on the journey to securing greater effectiveness and responsiveness for all users of the system.

"It is important that we all contribute to the debate on how we can ensure that we have a first class planning system which serves the needs of all the people of Northern Ireland."

Sinn Féin's spokesperson on planning issues has welcomed the proposals for planning reform.

Cathal Boylan, Vice Chair of the Environment Committee, said: "Sinn Féin broadly welcomes the proposals being put forward, but I would encourage all interested stake holders to attend the 11 consultation events which are being rolled out.

"These reforms are greatly needed, but there was a priority to ensure that an EQIA was carried out and that the proposals conformed to Equality legislation while ensuring local communities have an input into plans which have an effect on their areas," he said

See: Environmental Plan 'Rubbished'

(PR/JM)