Mr Wilson explained: “The Good Practice Guide is a critical step in the reform of the planning system.
“It is aimed at improving the efficiency of the planning process and providing greater certainty about timescales in order to achieve challenging Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets.
“But in this internet age, we have also undertaken a number of web-based initiatives to complement the guide.”
The Minister hoped the Good Practice Guide would raise the quality of applications by focusing not only on the role and responsibilities of the Planning Service but also on what applicants, agents and consultees could do to help deliver quality, sustainable development.
He said: “The guide and the e-planning initiatives we have launched on the website represent the next stage in our commitment to make short/medium term improvements within the Planning Service, including the very successful streamlining process in local councils.
“The success of the guide will very much rely on a commitment from all key stakeholders in the planning system to make it work.
“My officials will play their part by implementing the key culture changes outlined in the guide with a very clear focus on active caseload management.”
The Minister also unveiled three web-based e-planning initiatives with the same objectives, which have already been available on the Planning Service website. These were:
A Planning Application Advice System which helps applicants and agents to compile a planning application through the use of interactive electronic forms. The Planning Explorer, which enables users to view the status of any planning application; and an online Development Plan Viewer, which allows members of the public to view development plan maps.
Mr Wilson said: “These e-Planning initiatives were made available on 31st March 2009 on the Planning Service website.
“In an era where more and more people are interacting with public services by going online, these will have a critical role to play in the reform of the planning and making the system more user friendly.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The Good Practice Guide focuses on active caseload management and aims to improve the efficiency of the planning process and provide greater certainty about timescales in order to achieve our very challenging Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets. Another objective of the Good Practice Guide is to raise the quality of applications submitted by focusing not only on the role and responsibilities of the Planning Service but also of applicants, agents and consultees in helping to deliver quality, sustainable development needed to support economic growth. The implementation of the Guide is a critical step in preparing for the overall reform of the planning system to help make the development management process respective in a way which is proportionate to different types of development proposal. The Guide introduces a project management approach for handling planning applications. It sets out clearly how best to actively manage the progress of applications through the development management system and identifies the roles and responsibilities of Planning Service staff, applicant/agents and consultees at each stage of the process.
2. e-planning initiatives:
A Planning Application Advice System which helps applicants and agents to compile a planning application through the use of interactive electronic forms. The electronic system will seek answers to a number of questions relevant to the proposal, calculate the planning application fee and advise the applicant of the enclosures that may be required to support the application. Applications compiled through the Planning Application Advice System will be printed by the applicant and submitted along with the required enclosures and application fee directly to Planning Service. This will simplify the application process for the public and improve the quality of applications. Applicants will also be able to use the Planning Application Advice System as an offline fee calculator without the need to complete all the stages in the process.
Planning Explorer which enables users to view the status of any planning application including lists of new valid planning applications in their area and planning applications being brought to councils as part of the statutory consultation process. It will provide a more convenient service to customers by giving them immediate online access to the views of their local council on applications presented at the monthly meeting.
An online Development Plan Viewer which allows members of the public to view development plan maps, irrespective of their size, and to interactively drill down into them to reveal allocations, designations, planning proposals and policies contained in a plan. The first plan which has been made available through the Development Plan Viewer is the Banbridge and Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2016. Other Area Plans will be made available on the viewer in due course.
3. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
