The Planning Service in Northern Ireland has recently received an award for innovation and imagination in modernising planning processes.

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RPTI) award was achieved for the recently introduced Streamlined Consultation Scheme, which has been agreed with all 26 local Councils.

NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: "All key stakeholders in the planning system recognise the success of this innovative Streamlined Scheme which has reduced average processing times to 32 working days for streamlined approvals. This means that one in three of all applications are now currently approved within a six-week period. It is therefore very pleasing, and a tremendous achievement for Planning Service, to receive recognition at a national level for innovation, imagination and professionalism in changing processes to improve efficiencies and speed up the delivery of planning approvals. I am also pleased to announce a further extension of this scheme."

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The Streamlined Scheme was first introduced as a pilot with the agreement of Derry City Council and has subsequently been adopted by all 26 Councils. Planning Service continues to work with Councils to implement an extension of the scheme, to include a wider range of types of planning applications. To date 13 Councils have agreed to operate an extended version.

Mr Poots added: "The take-up of the enhanced scheme will provide further benefits to councils and applicants. The prompt processing of planning applications can only have a significant impact on the local economy, in particular for small and medium sized business enterprises submitting applications for minor developments."

(NS/BMcC)