Northern Ireland's interim Regional Planning Commission has held its inaugural meeting.

The first meeting took place on Friday, 24 February 2023.

The Commission, recommended by the previous NI Assembly Public Accounts Committee, has been formed on an interim basis to advise and provide support to the important work being taken forward by central and local government to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning system.

The interim Commission is independently chaired by Rosemary Thomas, former Chief Planner for Wales, whose knowledge, skills and experience as an independent senior leader in the planning field, will help guide and support the positive progression of the planning improvement agenda.

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Commenting after the meeting Rosemary Thomas said: "I relish this opportunity, as chair of the interim Commission, to contribute to the improvement of the planning system in NI. I am confident that the skills and experience which I gained in Wales will prove useful, as many of the challenges facing planning across the British Isles are very similar."

The membership of the Commission, which is being set up on an interim basis, reflects key stakeholder interests across the economic, community and environment sectors, along with senior representatives of central and local government. The support of the interim Commission will be invaluable in progressing the changes needed to ensure that we have a planning system which supports sustainable development and delivers for everyone.