West Tyrone Area Plan 2019: Cessation of further work on Plan
Published on Thu, 25 Mar 2010
Further substantive work on the preparation of the West Tyrone Area Plan 2019 remains suspended
Work on the West Tyrone Area Plan was suspended as a consequence of a court judgement relating to the Strategic Environmental Assessments which accompanied the Northern Area Plan and Magherafelt Area Plan. The judgement raised a number of issues regarding the role of the Department in the preparation of such assessments. The Department appealed part of the court judgement and the Court of Appeal has now referred a number of matters to the European Court of Justice for consideration.
The Environment Minister Edwin Poots recently announced measures to bring about the most sweeping reform of Northern Ireland's planning system for over 30 years. They included a new streamlined, fit for purpose and responsive local development plan system. These local development plans will be prepared by local councils following the transfer of planning powers to them . Accordingly no further work is being taken forward on the draft West Tyrone Area Plan prior to the reform of public administration. Planning Service is however working in association with Transition Committees on preparatory studies which will assist the new councils move their new local development plans forward more quickly following the transfer of planning powers.
