Planners' role essential
GREATER weight will be given in the future, where appropriate, to the economic consideration of planning proposals, Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has confirmed.
In a statement to the Assembly, the Minister told MLAs he had decided to
clarify the situation to ensure planners could play a full and positive role in assisting economic recovery.
Mr Wilson said: "I want to give decision makers the confidence and support to make judgements which will give greater weight to economic considerations wherever it is appropriate to do so.
"I want to give clarity and leave nobody in any doubt about how to deal
with economic considerations.
"Full account shall be taken of the economic aspects of a planning proposal, including the wider benefits to the regional or local economy, alongside social and environmental aspects.
"Where the economic benefits of a proposal are significant then substantial weight should be afforded to them."
The Minister said planners often faced competing interests when
assessing development proposals and had to balance important social, economic and environmental considerations.
He told MLA's the weight given to these aspects was a matter of judgement for the decision maker and would vary with each planning application.
The Minister urged everyone involved in the planning process including
developers, agents and public representatives to ensure all information
about the economic benefits was supplied at the outset.
The Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland welcomed the announcement.
Joanne Stuart, chairman, said: "Business leaders will be pleased to
see greater clarity being given to the Planning Service. IoD has consistently highlighted how the service is creating blockages to our economic development."
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' Northern Ireland director
Ben Collins agreed the planning process should support economic
development in Northern Ireland.
"The planning process should be efficient and responsive in order to facilitate high quality development that supports the economy," he said.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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