Planning Engagement Partnership (PEP)
The establishment of the Planning Engagement Partnership was announced by Minister Mallon to take forward and further develop community engagement in the two-tier planning system.
Ahead of its first meeting on 21st October 2020, the Minister said:
“A key aspect of the reforms to the planning system introduced over five years ago was to improve community engagement in the planning process... This forum provides an opportunity for sharing experience, good practice and learning gained through the operation of the planning system over the last five years, and for considering what more we can do to enhance community involvement. The Partnership is part of our ongoing work to improve the planning system, and people’s experience of the planning system.”
You can view the full press release at:
Planning Your Place: Getting Involved - 25 May 2021
The Planning Engagement Partnership invited the public to give their views on how to improve community engagement in the planning process and shaping where they live. Online sessions were held on Tuesday 25 May 2021 and comments and ideas that were shared helped shape the recommendations to enhance community engagement.
Further information, the invite and agenda can be viewed via the link below.
Planning Engagement Partnership Report
The Partnership has produced a report with practical recommendations that will enhance the quality and depth of community engagement at regional and local planning authority levels, and will help to improve the planning system experience for users.
You can view the Report with recommendations via the link below.
Implementation
The next steps will be the preparation of an action plan which will set out key priorities and those recommendations which will be implemented over the short, medium and long term.
We Would Like to Hear From You
The Partnership members are all users of the planning system and involved in shaping our environment – they are from local councils, the development industry, and environmental, voluntary, community and professional organisations.
Would you like the Partnership to hear about your experience of community engagement in the planning system – have you a story to share about good practice in community engagement, or one which we need to learn from? What improvements could be made to improve your experience? If you would like to share your experience and views, please complete the form below and submit it to us.
Please note: This is not a forum for making a formal complaint about either the Department or other planning authorities and any submission will not be treated as such. Any complaints should be channelled through the normal complaints procedure of the relevant organisation.
Minutes of Meetings
Minutes of each meeting held by the Partnership are available at: