A Friends of the Earth (FOE) report into the planning system from Queen’s University Belfast has revealed a crisis of confidence as it reveals that some four-fifths of Northern Irish residents believe that the planning system serves the people of Northern Ireland poorly or very poorly.
The report entitled ‘Public and Stakeholder Opinion on the Northern Ireland Planning System’, outlines the results of a survey conducted from 31st May – 31 August 2011.
The report summarises the findings of the first ever survey of public and stakeholder opinion into the planning system and received 544 responses from individuals, developers, politicians and planners.
The report’s author, Dr Geraint Ellis of the School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering, stated: ‘There is a very strong view that the planning system serves the people of Northern Ireland poorly or very poorly – a view held by 80% of respondents. What is quite remarkable is that these views are broadly held and include the views of the planners themselves.’
He added ‘The survey also provided a clear message that a large majority would like to see greater environmental protection and improved enforcement as well a strong perception that we need to take the politics out of planning’.
James Orr, Northern Ireland Director for Friends of the Earth, said: ‘It is difficult to avoid the conclusion from reading the report that there is a crisis in public confidence in the planning system. If there is a positive note it’s the fact that the report reveals a clear set of policies that people want to see addressed as part of a new programme of planning reform.’
Read the report at: LINK
FOE NI News: LINK
Search Planning Resource: LINK
