Planning in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s planning system is not working efficiently and, in many aspects, is failing to deliver for the economy, communities or the environment. That is the conclusion of a joint report published today (Tuesday 1st February) by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr Kieran Donnelly CB, and the Local Government Auditor, Mrs Colette Kane.

The report on ‘Planning in Northern Ireland’ considers how the system has operated since April 2015, when responsibility for delivering the majority of operational planning functions passed from central government to local councils. However, the Department for Infrastructure retains a central role, with responsibility for preparing planning policy and legislation, as well as monitoring and reporting on the performance of councils in delivering planning functions.

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