Proposals for what were claimed to be the most sweeping reform of Northern Ireland’s planning system for more than 30 years have been outlined by incoming environment minister Edwin Poots. He insisted the measures, outlined in a Green Paper now out for consultation, would deliver a more effective and responsive planning system. Key elements of the reform package include a new streamlined, fit for purpose and responsive local development plan system designed to enable district councils, communities and developers to work together to prepare plans. The administration also wants to introduce performance agreements, pre-application community consultation and pre-determination council hearings to improve efficiency, provide greater certainty about timescales and improve openness.
Also in the frame is 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. The reforms call for a new regime of development management which ministers hope will change “the culture of the planning application process” to ensure it is more responsive and flexible, more efficient in determining applications and enhances community involvement at appropriate points in the process. Views are also being sought on whether it should be a criminal offence for anyone to carry out development without planning permission.
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1115316706241.html
