New Start for Planning

The new Minister for Environment Edwin Poots, today released the long awaited consultation on Planning Reform. The substantial reform document focuses on developing a more effective, managable and faster development system in which significant delays are removed. The process for legislation to implement the changes to planning will have to move swiftly and be in plave by autumn 2010 so that the necessary powers can be devolved to local councils as part of the Review of Public Administration (RPA).

Under the RPA local councils will assume responsibility for local development plans, development management/development control and enforcement. The Department will hold on to strategic planning and planning policy, regionally significant applications, legislation, oversight, intervention, audit, governance and performance management.

Devolvoing some planning powere to local councils will help citizens feel closer to the decision making process. The benefits were outlined by the Department:

- more flexible and faster local development plan
- reduction in time taken to produce plan from 6.5years to 3.5 years
- two stage process needing separate adoption - Plan Strategy and a Site Specific Policies and Proposals
- programme management scheme - to ensure public, stakeholders and consultees are aware of key milestones
- a more meaningful approach to community engagement earlier in the planning process
- a faster and more effective examination of plans at independent examination which moves away from objection - based examination process to one which tests the robustness of the plan
- scope for the independent examination to be carried out by the Planning Appeals Commission or independent examiners appointed by Department
- Sustainability Appraisals are carried out for local development plans taking into account social, economic and environmental impacts

District Councils will become responsible for deciding the majority of planning applications.

Councils will be required to draw up statements of community involvement setting out the procedures for involving the local community.