Major reform of Northern Ireland planning mooted

Northern Ireland councils are to regain responsibility for planning under the biggest shake-up of the Province's local government for 30 years.

Under proposals just announced, local authorities will become local planning authorities with responsibility for area plans, development control, urban and rural regeneration, the spot listing of buildings and the conservation of the natural and built environment.

At present most planning in the Province is carried out centrally by the government's Planning Service, most of whose functions will now be transferred.

Some aspects of the planning service, however, will remain with central government: regional planning and the handling of large planning applications "which have a significance beyond the council where they are located," according to a statement from the Northern Ireland government.

At the same time, the government has announced plans to reduce the number of district councils from twenty-six to seven.

The government has yet to announce the timetable for the reorganisation and details of any legislation. Still to be resolved is the fate of the Planning Service's staff and the future of the body itself.

Roger Milne

24 November 2005