Voluntary organisation Community Places will be granted the funding, which the Northern Ireland Government said represents a 9.5% increase in previous funding, over a three year period to help the body in its work to provide impartial advice, support and guidance on planning issues to community groups and individuals.
The body said it would use the funding to provide services including training for community, voluntary and environmental groups on the planning system, how to make representations on planning and how to present complaints and submissions at appeal hearings.
“Planning can be complex and has the potential to impact on all of our lives," said Durkan in a statement. "What this funding is about is giving everyone a fair chance, assisting those in disadvantaged and marginalised communities to have their say in applications in their area."
“Local government reform is about bringing planning power closer to people by transferring the majority of planning functions to councils. Local people making decisions. Local people influencing decisions. This is why I am increasing the funding for Community Places and making it available over this key period of change so that all groups understand and feel capable of playing an active part in the current and new planning system,” Durkan added.
