Minister lays the foundations for a new Planning system

The Planning Bill, which provides for the transfer of planning powers to councils, was passed by the Assembly today.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: "This Bill sets the framework for the future of planning. It provides for the transfer of the majority of planning functions from the Department of the Environment to local government. This transfer will happen after new governance arrangements for councils and a new ethical standards regime for councillors have been put in place and at a time to be decided by the next Assembly.

"The Bill means that in the future the bulk of planning decisions will be made by locally elected representatives who are best placed to understand their own community’s needs. Councils will also be responsible for preparing new local development plans which will set out the vision for how their area should develop.

"This Bill also revitalises and streamlines the planning system. It allows for better, faster development management and enforcement functions and an improved and more focused local development plan process. This placing of power in councils puts planning at the heart of local communities and is fundamental to achieving a more democratically accountable planning system. Communities will be consulted throughout the planning process."

Earlier community engagement and consultation will be fundamental to the new planning system and will involve communities taking a stronger role in influencing development in their local areas thereby creating a more open and transparent process with better outcomes for all.

1. Further information on the Bill can be found on the NI Assembly’s website at: http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/legislation/primary/2010/nia7_10.htm

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