A Planning Engagement Partnership to enhance the quality and depth of community involvement in the planning process at both the regional and local planning levels has been established in Northern Ireland.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon made the announcement which also aims to help improve the planning system experience for users.

Minister Mallon said: "A key aspect of the reforms to the planning system introduced over five years ago was to improve community engagement in the planning process. Public participation is an important part of the planning process and it is imperative that we look at ways to improve the community’s interaction with it, whether that be through commenting on your council's local development plan or planning applications, or responding to consultations on policy or guidance.

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"Recently, community engagement has come into sharp focus during the Covid-19 crisis, with my Department putting in place temporary legislation and guidance to enable councils to continue to process major planning applications during this challenging time. Community Places and other stakeholders assisted in looking at alternative ways that meaningful community consultation on these applications can be maintained."

Colm Bradley, Director, Community Places said: "We hope this partnership will provide enhanced and properly resourced community engagement in the planning system, creating a more level playing field for communities and individuals to have a real say in shaping the places which matter most to them."