Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Planning Department has introduced its Efficient Processing of Planning Applications Protocol, reinforcing its commitment to collaborate with stakeholders and deliver a more proactive, streamlined planning service.

Taking effect this June following approval by the Council's Planning Committee, the protocol is part of ongoing work to enhance the quality, consistency and efficiency of planning applications and related procedures.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, who also serves on the Planning Committee, said: "It is important to us that our Council and the Planning Department offers to continue to improve our planning application processes.

"Recent figures show we already rank very highly with a 96.9% approval rate and first across all Councils in the time taken to process major applications, 27.2 weeks.

"In terms of local planning applications we are continually improving our processing times with an average processing time of 17.6 weeks, 5 weeks faster than the same period the year before."

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"It is hoped that the protocol will improve already excellent approval rates and processing times."

Chair of Causeway Coast and Glens Planning Committee, Councillor Lee Kane, said: "This is a positive step towards making the planning process more efficient, effective and transparent for applicants, agents and the wider community.

"By encouraging early engagement and clearly setting out expectations from the outset, the protocol will help ensure that applications can progress through the system more quickly.

"It will also help identify potential issues at an earlier stage, giving applicants the opportunity to make any necessary amendments to meet planning policy requirements and avoid unnecessary delays."

Principal Planner Jennifer Lundy added: "The new Protocol encourages early engagement from the start of the application process.

"It sets out what should be carried out in the preparation of an application and encourages the use of Pre Application Discussions.

"It provides clarity for all stakeholders of the difference stages a planning application follows and the processes at each stage. It reinforces our commitment to process complete applications in an efficient and timely manner as possible taking account of the legislative and planning policy framework."

The Efficient Processing of Planning Applications Protocol will be implemented from Monday 1st June following a successful consultation with the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). It follows the adoption of the Enhanced Validation Checklist and the new Pre-Application Discussion process, reflecting improvements developed through joint working between the Council's Planning Department and members of the RTPI and RSUA.