AQW 15732/17-22 Written question to the Minister for Communities

To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) the council areas that demand planning permission to be obtained before issuing café pavement licences; and (ii) her assessment of the effects of any disparity in requirements on businesses within different council areas, in particular with reference to additional costs incurred by businesses required to obtain planning permission, including architect and council fees.

Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 3 March 2021

  • Answered
  • Written
Tabled
3 March 2021
Answer due by
19 March 2021
Answered
9 March 20216 days after tabling
Department
Department for Communities
Priority question
No

Answer

My Department does not hold this information.

It is the responsibility of each district council, under the Licensing of Pavement Cafés Act (NI) 2014 (the Act), to design a pavement café licensing regime appropriate to their area. The Act contains a significant degree of flexibility for councils to respond to local circumstances.

Official sources