Written question asked by Eddie McGrady (Social Democratic & Labour Party) on Wednesday, 11 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 January 2006. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 January 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Planning Applications

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide the necessary financial resources to Planning Service in order that they can (a) process area plans and (b) accelerate the processing of outstanding planning applications.

Answer: My right hon. Friend the Minister of the Environment is content that the Planning Service has the necessary resources to enable it to deliver its programme of up-to-date area plan coverage for Northern Ireland and to improve the performance in processing planning applications.In relation to both area plans and the processing of planning applications, there are many other parties involved such as, consultees, developers, agents and others, all of whom have a key role to play in ensuring a timely and efficient planning system.The Planning Service is now in the third year of a three-year modernisation programme to deliver fundamental reforms to the planning system. Indeed as part of the Northern Ireland Priorities and Budget 2005–08, Planning Service secured an additional £5.5 million of funding to deliver the programme. Key elements involve the streamlining, strengthening and comprehensive reform of development control, development planning and planning policy processes.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 42388; 441 c1419-20W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Administration Finance Northern Ireland Planning permission Planning Planning Service
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk