A new lease of life has been proposed for an existing retail planning policy.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood announced that he intends to place the draft PPS5 planning policy before next week’s meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive, seeking its formal adoption.

Draft PPS5 relates to retailing and commercial leisure developments in cities, towns, other centres and settlements throughout Northern Ireland.

It essentially seeks to strike a balance between the need to sustain the viability of town and city centres and the conflicting demands of the retail sector for more out-of-town shopping centres.

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According to the Minister there are currently over 60 major planning applications awaiting a decision.

Mr Attwood said:"We need to create certainty around planning applications for our out of town and our city centres. In my opinion, draft PPS5 will help to do that. It is a roadmap towards a more balanced and up to date retail planning policy that is why I will seek the endorsement of the Executive.

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There have however been legal challenges around PPS5 but Minister Attwood said the need for this draft Planning Policy has existed for years.

Highlighting the need for speedy action Mr Attwood said: "It is time to deliver. I have shown decisiveness in other planning matters such as with the Runkerry golf complex on the north coast. I intend to show the same decisiveness with retail planning."

Mr Attwood attacked stagnation in the planning system and subsequent negative impact on the economy.

"There are too many applications that have been lying around for too long.

"They won’t be lying around for too much longer as long as I am around."

(LB/CD)