Infrastructure Minister publishes Planning Your Place report

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has published Planning Your Place: Getting Involved.

The report has been produced by the Planning Engagement Partnership (PEP) as part of the Department’s ongoing work to improve the planning system and crucially people’s experience of planning. 

The PEP comprised a wide range of planning stakeholders all of whom are passionate about community engagement in planning, including Community Places.

Speaking as the report was published Nichola Mallon said:

“The planning system is at the heart of how our society functions.  

“Planners make sure our built environment is fit for purpose – houses, schools, hospitals, roads, walking and cycling schemes all must be in the right places to ensure they provide the services local communities need. In order for the planning system to be effective, meaningful community engagement is key.

“The transfer of local planning powers to the new 11 councils in 2015 has created the two-tier planning system and brought local planning decisions closer to those who are impacted by them.  However, there needs to be a collective and ongoing commitment by all sectors of the planning and place shaping community, to help to improve community engagement in planning and continue to motivate our community to become more involved.

“The complexity of the planning system can very often be off-putting to becoming involved. This has to change

“This report provides the direction and basis for improved inclusivity in planning and we must strive for improvement.

“I am grateful to the many organisations and individuals who contributed to this important publication. I look forward to seeing the implementation of your work and improvements to the planning system going forward.”

Speaking about the Planning Engagement Partnership Louise O’Kane of Community Places said:

“The Planning Engagement Partnership brought together a diverse range of interests who have invested considerable time in developing these wide-ranging recommendations.

“Community Places is committed to working with the Department and Planning Engagement Partnership members to implement and take forward the recommendations to ensure that communities have earlier and more meaningful access and engagement with planning processes to better shape local communities and place.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The overall purpose of the Planning Engagement Partnership was to look at how to enhance the quality and depth of community engagement in the planning process at both the regional and local planning authority levels. The Partnership’s work has culminated in the preparation of a final report, including a series of recommendations for improvement. Information on the work of the Planning Engagement Partnership, including the final report, is available at: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/planning-engagement-partnership-pep.
2. The Department for Infrastructure chaired the Planning Engagement Partnership and were assisted by Community Places, an independent and not-for-profit organisation with 30 years’ expertise in planning, community planning and engagement. More information on this organisation is available at: https://www.communityplaces.info/
3. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.  
5. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

Share this page