Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has reiterated its commitment to planning improvement across the region following a review.

The local authority welcomed the recent review of its Planning Department, which included recommendations for improvements.

Elected members were presented with the findings at the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee meeting on Tuesday 28 September 2021, with subsequent ratification at the full Council meeting on 05 October.

Mayor, Councillor Richard Holmes has praised the recommendations, ensuring local residents the Planning Department has a "renewed focus, with a commitment to positive and proactive engagement with all planning partners".

Mayor Holmes added: "We want to see a revitalised service which is essential for the future prosperity, sustainability and well-being of the Borough, and the review's recommendations will underpin this.

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"We've already sought to generate positive change including the creation of a Service Level Agreement with DfI Roads to reduce consultations which will ease the processing of some local applications.

"Discussions with other statutory bodies will continue as we strive to deliver further similar agreements. We recognise that working together with our customers is a key factor in improving the planning performance for all and I look forward to seeing continued progress on the review's implementation plan which will further enhance our current position.

"I would like to thank our Planning staff for their commitment to continued improvement, as well as all of those who participated in the review as we aim to shape a future Planning service that we can all be proud off."

Following the acceptance of the report, the Council will now establish a new Working Group to develop, implement and monitor an Action Plan based on its recommendations.

This review follows on from the latest provisional statistics from the Department for Infrastructure which show that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council issued the highest number of major planning applications from April – June this year with a 100% approval rate.