Reacting to the publication of the Public Accounts Committee’s Report on Planning in Northern Ireland, NILGA Chief Executive, Alison Allen said:
“NILGA acknowledges the publication of the NI Assembly Public Accounts Committee’s report on the planning system in Northern Ireland. A review like this of our planning system is both necessary in highlighting what can be done better as well as acknowledging what is being done well. Since the transfer of planning powers to local government in 2015, our 11 local councils have taken a collaborative approach to delivering for their communities, their local economies, and their constituents. However, this report, much like the recent Audit Office report also, serves to highlight that leadership on this issue is urgently necessary as well as genuine partnership between local and central government in resolving the many challenges in the planning system.
“While the pandemic in particular has had a major impact on the planning system in NI, all councils agree improvement is needed to deliver a fit for purpose planning system in Northern Ireland. Local government is absolutely prepared to do its’ part in delivering that improvement, but it must be enabled by the NI Assembly urgently bringing forward the long overdue legislative change needed as well as providing appropriate powers and resourcing to local government”.
