The Bill includes a number of provisions which the NI Executive said will streamline planning and facilitate speedier decision making. These include introducing the option to appoint persons other than the Planning Appeals Commission to conduct inquiries on major planning applications as well as reducing the time limit for submitting appeals and restricting the introduction of new material at appeal.
The Bill seeks to enhance community involvement by requiring developers to consult the community before submitting major planning applications.
Promotion of economic development is also part of the Bill, which asks local planning authorities to have regard to any economic advantages or disadvantages likely to result from granting or refusing planning permission.
“Since becoming Environment Minister, ensuring we provide a much better, more speedy and decisive planning service has been a top priority for me," said Attwood. "Planning as a vehicle for strengthening our economy, without compromising on protecting the environment is also a key driver for me. This Planning Bill will deliver on that and the Executive's Programme for Government."
“These reforms were not meant to be in place until 2015. I am not prepared to wait," he said. "I am introducing these reforms two years early to make planning better fit for purpose today and better fit for purpose in when many planning functions transfer to councils in 2015. This is a more practical way forward. It means we will reap the benefits of the reforms sooner. It means we will transfer a system which councils, planners, developers and the public are already using and which they know and understand."
Attwood said that the Bill would make the planning system more efficient for business, with greater certainty for developers and faster processing of planning applications. "Overall this Bill will accelerate measures to modernise and strengthen the planning system to support economic recovery and to set the foundations for the future transfer of planning to local councils," he said.
The Department for Environment Northern Ireland has said it hopes for the Bill to complete the legislative process by the end of 2013.
