Belfast News: Power To The People?

Environment minister Edwin Poots has announced proposals which would see the Planning Service closed down and planning applications returned to local councils, such as Belfast City Council.

The plans are described as the 'most sweeping reforms to the planning system for 30 years' and will see powers returned back to local councillors, as was the case back in 1973.

The plans form a key element of the review of public administration and hinge on Northern Ireland's councils being downsized to 11. All major planning decisions will remain with the Minster's Department, but all others will fall under the remit of elected councillors. 

Editorial

On the face of it, the return of planning applications to accountable elected representatives is a good thing, isn't it?

However, is it not, the current case, were civil servants at the planning service, prepare the application file and recommend approval or rejection, which the planning committee of the council then act upon?

The bill, will be be accompanied by a consultation paper covering a system of checks and balances to ensure openness, transparency and equality in councils, with penalties, including a ban on holding public office, against councillors abusing the new system.

The up side of this policy is that local councils, local councillors and local political parties will feel the full fury of communities that have been sidelined by past developments and that have seen local heritage / sites of cultural significance, demolished.

This bill, which is due to go before the Assembly next week, will see you empowered to take on poor planning decisions, were in the past you have been powerless.

Last Updated: 30th November 2010