The DOE Planning Service has announced a timetable for the release of annual and quarterly statistical publications using its website (www.planningni.gov.uk).

This is the first phase of its commitment to implementing 'best practice' for the statistical information it provides to the public.

The announcement of the planned publications brings the planning service into line with other NI government departments in meeting its obligation to proactively publish information as required by the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and The Freedom of Information Act 2000.

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The service has engaged the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) to process data using official statistical standards and quality assurance methodologies.

The priority for Planning Service is to disseminate statistics of notable quality. Consequently from 1 November any information released will no longer be sourced from the ‘live’ database system.

To supplement the publications, DOE Planning Service has developed a suite of tools which will enable customers to generate the answers to queries online.

This innovative web-based feature also includes a facility where customers can obtain details on individual planning applications, thereby giving customers access to a wider range of planning information.

According to the Planning Service, it provides the only source of Official Statistics on planning information in Northern Ireland. The statistics provided on its website are free of charge with the first publication due to be issued on 25 January 2008.

(NS/BMcC)