Planning Service application processing times improving, report reveals

Average processing times have fallen for all types of planning applications processed in Northern Ireland over the past year, a new independent report revealed today.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots welcomed the publication of the Planning Service’s fourth annual development management statistical bulletin, noting the improved performance, but was adamant that he would continue to drive forward further reform and improvement.

The Minister said: “The report highlights that real improvements have been made towards achieving the Agency’s Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets – progress has been made on reducing the processing times for all application types. I particularly note the progress around the processing of intermediate planning applications where the average processing time has been reduced for a fourth consecutive year, from 30 weeks to 23."

Minister Poots acknowledged that significant effort has been made to improve the Planning Service’s efficiency and speed up the planning process, through the introduction of a number of operational reforms such as the streamlined consultation arrangements with district councils, with the average processing time for these types of applications reduced from around 90 to 30 working days. But went on to say that the journey must continue stating: “I am committed to a programme of reform for the Planning System. This process will shape our future planning system and help ensure the system meets our community’s needs, both today and tomorrow."

Mr Poots noted the positive trend in the statistical bulletin, and said that work would continue to ensure a fit for purpose service would be in place as part of the review of public administration.

Notes to editors:

1. Statistical bulletins are produced with the assistance and guidance of a statistician on secondment from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). The role of the statistician is to provide advice on best practice in the production of Official Statistics and to ensure that bulletins are produced independently and impartially.

2. The 2009/10 Annual Report provides a range of statistical information on the applications received and decided, and on the types of development for which applications were received and decided. It also includes information on the processing times for applications against key targets set for 2009/10.

3. The Development Management Statistics Northern Ireland 2009/10 Annual Statistical Bulletin can be accessed here

4. Major planning applications are predominantly housing developments, commercial and retail development. Intermediate planning applications are predominantly single houses. Minor planning applications are predominantly alterations and extensions to dwellings.

5. Key findings within the report are -

• Planning Service received 19,557 applications in 2009/10, a decrease of 4.5 % when compared with 2008/09
• The number of applications decided in 2009/10 was 20,223 which equates to 17.9% fewer than the previous year.
• Performance against the 2011 PSA target for major type planning applications increased by 7 percentage points from 41% in 2008/09 to 48% in 2009/10;
• Performance against the 2011 PSA target for intermediate type planning applications increased by 16 percentage points from 65% in 2008/09 to 81% in 2009/10; · Performance against the 2011 PSA target for minor type planning applications increased by 14 percentage points from 68% in 2008/09 to 82% in 2009/10;
• Planning Service met eight out of nine targets set in the Agency Business Plan compared to seven out of nine in 2008/09
• The statistical bulletin revealed that during 2009/10, 19,557 applications were received and 20,223 applications were decided.

6. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.