You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Consultation on proposed revisions to Northern Ireland planning system launched
The Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland has launched a public consultation on proposed revisions to the planning application process.
The proposals are part of the Planning Improvement Programme being brought forward by the department in a bid to improve current processes and the performance and delivery of the planning system.
They cover three areas, including a review of the classes of development to ensure they reflect current and future development trends.
At the same time, the associated thresholds should “take a balanced approach to community consultation in planning applications for major development”, the department said.
READ MORE
It is also proposing to make pre-determination hearings discretionary for councils, which it hopes will help focus resources and reduce delays in issuing planning decisions for some planning applications.
Plans to introduce online methods into the pre-application community consultation process to improve accessibility and encourage participation by a broader range of people have also been proposed.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks until 3 March 2024.
Following the closure of the consultation, the responses will be considered.
The department said should there be an absence of ministers, any final decisions will be taken in light of the decision-making framework at that time.
Northern Ireland has been without an executive since former first minister Paul Givan, from the Democratic Unionist Party, stepped down in February last year in protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Sign up for our Northern Ireland bulletin
Already have an account? Click here to manage your newsletters
