Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has called on Environment Minister, Mark Durkan MLA, not to progress the Planning Bill given the attempted power grab by Sinn Fein and the DUP through the offices of FMdFM to bring economic planning powers under their control.

Mr Nesbitt said: "It would be interesting for the Minister to give us details of any advice he and his department has received about the amendments that were brought forward by Sinn Fein and the DUP to the Planning Bill in June.

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"These amendments would give very significant planning powers to the office of First Minister and deputy First Minister - why would such powers be taken away from the planning department?

"There is also a serious concern about the amendment that would seriously restrict the opportunity to challenge decisions through the legal process. Instead of improving the democratic process and protecting the rights of individuals they are diminishing that democracy – The system would be more akin to totalitarianism."

(CD/JP)