Attwood responds to Planning Performance Statistics
Published on Thu, 26 Jul 2012
by ecomms@doeni.gov.uk.
Annual statistics published today highlight a continuing decline in the number of planning applications, an increase in approval rates and significantly a large increase in demand for installing renewable energy.
Four out of five applications for renewal energy have been approved.The statistics also show that the backlog of planning applications are being cleared. In being successful here, this skews the figure for planning process performance, the more you deal with older cases the mean figure for indicating the length of time dealing with applications increases.
Alex Attwood said: “When I took over the environment portfolio I was keen that planning improved and that it played a key role in protecting the environment and developing our economy. There are many instances where decisions I have made have ensured that has happened with a new golf complex at Runkerry and the possibility of 1,100 new jobs at Greenbank in Newry being notable examples.
“A key issue that concerned me was the large backlog in planning applications. This needed to be cleared to help develop our economy and that is welcome. The high approval rates, nine out of ten for all applications of planning applications will also help our economy grow.
“Further, I put a strong emphasis on the contribution that renewable energy makes to the environment and economy of the North and I am pleased to note that applications for renewable energy have more than doubled in the last four to five years. Approval rates are high, with four out of five renewable applications approved. including every one of the applications for hydroelectric projects, biomass and anaerobic digesters. This is all good news for developing our green economy, a key objective of mine. Renewable electricity and technology is our single biggest economic opportunity and our aim is to be world leader in carbon reduction.
“Nevertheless I want to see a big improvement in the time taken to approve planning applications. Too many applications are in the system for too long. I have set challenging targets for this year and the next two years in order to speed up the planning process and assist economic recovery. I require planning staff to meet these new targets and have made this clear to senior staff in the Department.
“The longer processing times and high approval rates in many cases reflects an approach of engagement with applicants, agents, elected representatives and the public to negotiate an acceptable scheme. What I want to ensure is that acceptable schemes are submitted at an early stage , after pre application discussions for major projects and with full engagement with the community. That is why I have asked my officials and the sporting bodies to pilot pre application community consultation for the stadia projects at Casement Park and Windsor Park in advance of the introduction of the new legislation .
“The performance on enforcement is not good enough and I have made it clear to officials that it needs to be improved. I recently convened an enforcement summit to consider compliance and enforcement functions and specifically consider what measures are currently deployed in dealing with enforcement, what resources are needed to escalate enforcement and what is the best enforcement architecture for the future in terms of legislation, policy and structures. I plan to follow-up these discussions to deliver an enforcement system that is robust, adequately resourced and operates as an effective deterrent to environmental and planning crimes.”
Approval rates for all applications increased from 89% to 92% with approximately 95% of applications for commercial and mixed use developments approved.
Approval rates were highest in Ballymoney and Cookstown District Council Areas where 97% of all applications were approved, with Omagh District having the lowest approval rate at 85%. 1252 applications were decided in Belfast City Council area and approximately 84% were approved.
Notes to editors:
1. Electronic copies of the ‘Planning Service Development Management Statistical Bulletin’ are available at http://www.planningni.gov.uk/common-eplanning-stats-publications.htm
Hard copies are available free of charge from: Department of the Environment, Millennium House, 17 - 25 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7BN
Telephone: (028) 9041 6700 E-mail: planning.service.hq@doeni.gov.uk Website: http://www.planningni.gov.uk
2. All media enquiries should be directed to DOE Press Office 028 9025 6058 or for out of office hours, contact the duty press officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
