Category: Opinion

The Environment Minister has launched simpler, clearer planning guidance that it is hoped will save applicants time and money. The Environment Minister launched, simpler, clearer planning guidance that it is hoped will save planning applicants time and money, yesterday at an event at the Construction Employers Federation. It is proposed that this will also help deliver the Minister’s vision for a better environment and stronger economy. Lending support to the belief that the two do not have to be in opposition. The revised planning guidance on Pre-application Discussions opens up the process to a broader range of development proposals, provides guidance on the type of matters to be addressed and the information required. The importance of engaging with local communities before applications are submitted is also highlighted. This is not…

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning approval for a £6.5million transformation of leisure facilities at Londonderry Park in Newtownards. The redevelopment and improvement proposals include the replacement of shale pitches with floodlit synthetic pitches, new main pavilion and changing facilities, new cricket pavilion, increased car parking and associated development. Ards Borough Council is investing £6.5million into the redevelopment of Londonderry Park.

The Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan, has launched a 12 week consultation on proposals for planning reform and its transfer to new councils. The Minister is seeking views on the improvements he intends to introduce in planning as a result of the new two-tier system in Northern Ireland. Under the review of public administration (RPA), responsibility for the majority of planning functions will transfer to the new councils in April 2015 who will operate as the local planning authorities for their areas. The changes will see the return of local accountability to the planning system. Councils will be responsible for developing their own local development plan setting the context for development proposals in the future. They will also determine the vast majority of planning applications with only a small percentage…

Social Development Minister and Environment Minister have launched public consultations on proposals that aim to increase the supply of affordable housing. Developer contributions would require developers to provide a proportion of newly-proposed housing developments (over a certain threshold) as affordable housing. The DSD consultation on ‘Developer Contributions for Affordable Housing’, which can be found at http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/consultations.htm, sets out the policy behind developer contributions and seeks the public’s views on the introduction of such a policy in Northern Ireland and on the suggested level of contribution. The DOE consultation on the ‘Draft Planning Policy Statement 22 (PPS22) ‘Affordable Housing’, which can be found at http://j.mp/T9pE6v, details how developer contributions could be delivered. Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland said: “The timing of the introduction of a developer contributions scheme in Northern Ireland…