To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail (i) the reasons NIEA suspended assessment of planning applications as a statutory consultee in March 2023; and (ii) his assessment of how this suspension impacted on applications related to the rural and agricultural economy.

(i) The decision to suspend the provision of advice to planning authorities in spring 2023 was based on concerns around the efficacy of NIEA’s extant advice to support robust decision-making on sustainable development. This was informed by the Planning Appeal Commission revoking a planning decision that relied on NIEA’s advice, following a legal challenge by Fermanagh and Omagh DC; an increase in planning enforcement cases related to air pollution; recognition that planning authorities were increasingly reluctant to base their decisions on the Standing Advice; and DAERA’s ongoing review of the air pollution standing advice in light of ever increasing ammonia emissions and associated risks to biodiversity.

(ii) I recognise that the decision to pause the issuing of advice delayed decisions in a number of planning cases, which my officials have been working hard to expedite. I can assure you that we have sought to increase capacity in this work area and are trying to respond to all planning consultations as quickly as possible. However, it must be noted that issues around the previous advice were causing significant difficulties for the planning system, planning authorities and applicants alike in being able secure sound planning decisions that safeguard our natural capital and comply with environmental law.