The Forum includes representatives from NICS departments, public bodies which have a key statutory consultee role as part of the planning process, council representatives and Planning Group staff who work collaboratively to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning system in Northern Ireland.
A review into the planning system in Northern Ireland, with particular focus on the role of statutory consultees, was completed in 2019. One of the key recommendations from the report was the establishment of a cross-government Planning Forum of senior leaders, which has been in operation for the past 3 years. Following the establishment of the Planning Improvement Programme (PIP) in 2022 it has been decided to reconsider the role and remit of the Planning Forum going forward. It has been agreed that the Planning Forum will now be known as the Planning Statutory Consultee Forum (‘the Forum’).
Terms of Reference