Planning reform hits the road

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today appealed to those with an interest in reform of the local planning system to make their voices heard.

The Minister was speaking as he announced that planning reform roadshows will take place across the province in September. The events are part of the formal consultation process on the proposals contained in the recently published, ‘Reform of the Planning System in Northern Ireland: Your chance to influence change’ consultation paper.

The Minister said: “I believe that the publication of the consultation paper lays the foundation for transforming the current planning system and is a significant step on the journey to securing greater effectiveness and responsiveness for all users of the system. It is important that we all contribute to the debate on how we can ensure that we have a first class planning system which serves the needs of all the people of Northern Ireland.

“These forthcoming events, which are open to everyone to attend, will provide all interested stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss and put forward their views on the reform proposals which represent the most sweeping reform of Northern Ireland’s planning system for over 30 years.”

In total 11 roadshows will take place across Northern Ireland in September.

Notes to Editors:

1. The consultation period on the proposals in the ‘Reform of the Planning System in Northern Ireland: Your chance to influence change’ consultation paper closes on 2 October.

2. Event schedule as follows:

Tuesday 1 Sept 10.30am Tower Hotel, Londonderry

Thursday 3 Sept 7.30pm CAFRE, Levaghy, Enniskillen

Friday 4 Sept 10.30am Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre, Cookstown

Tuesday 8 Sept 10.30am Lagan Valley Leisureplex, Lisburn

Wednesday 9 Sept 7.30pm Signal Business Centre, Bangor

Friday 11 Sept 10.30am Grosvenor House, Belfast

Monday 14 Sept 7.30pm Riverside Theatre, UU, Coleraine

Tuesday 15 Sept 7.30pm St. Patrick’s Centre, Downpatrick

Thursday 17 Sept 7.30pm Ballymena Showgrounds, Ballymena

Monday 21 Sept 10.30am Market Place Theatre, Armagh

Tuesday 22 Sept 7.30pm CAFRE, Greenmount Campus, Antrim

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