To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on actions being undertaken by his Department to address the significant delays in the planning process, including within his own Department.

It was worth noting, over 98% of all planning applications are dealt with by Councils which are sovereign democratic authorities .

I am committed to ensuring that the planning system in the North operates in an efficient and effective way. My Department, working in collaboration with local councils through the Planning Improvement Programme, has delivered important changes (including fee uplifts, reviews and consultations on policy and procedures, development of legislation and ongoing work on the statutory consultation process) all of which will continue to improve the system’s efficiency and effectiveness.

My Department has also made a bid to the Interim Public Sector Transformation Board to support the role of statutory consultees within my Department and to appoint persons to undertake ‘hear and report’ work that the Planning Appeals Commission has been unable to progress. I am hopeful that this bid will ultimately be successful and will assist in increasing the efficiency of the system.

I want to build on the positive work that has been taken forward to date and my officials have commenced a series of face-to-face meetings with all planning authorities (including my own Department) which will focus on identifying challenges in current practice and procedure; and inform opportunities for support, shared learning and best practice, with the ultimate aim of improving performance.

Planning is a collective issue and all stakeholders, including my Department, must play their part in delivering the necessary changes and improvements.