The Planning Service has launched a pre application discussion (PAD) initiative for strategically important planning applications to improve the quality of those applications and to speed up the decision making process.

Welcoming the initiative Environment Minister, Arlene Foster, said: "PADs is just one of a number of ongoing measures to improve the processing of planning applications and make a positive contribution to the economy. It will also link directly to the key medium to long term reform programme for the planning system."

PADs will allow the Planning Service to provide general advice and identify key issues that need to be considered as part of the planning application. David Ferguson, Chief Executive of the Planning Service explained: "We want applicants to engage with us in meaningful pre-application discussions on major strategic development proposals. These new arrangements will only be effective if there is a joint commitment from both the applicant and the Planning Service. A mutual agreement to improve the quality of applications will maximise the prospects of getting through the statutory process quickly. This approach has already proven successful on a number of strategic proposals, such as Ikea, Titanic Quarter and Coca Cola."

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David Ferguson emphasised that Planning Service is keen to engage in discussion with applicants before they submit their planning application. The aim is to identify obvious problems at an early stage in the process and promote high quality applications to maximise the prospects of reaching a decision quickly. An indicative programme with expected timescales for the processing of the planning application will be provided and key milestones such as the submission of the application with the required supporting documentation will be agreed. John Armstrong, Managing Director of the Construction Employers Federation (CEF), welcomed the initiative and said: "The CEF has worked closely with the Planning Service in taking this initiative forward and very much supports the need for applicants to submit properly documented, good quality applications and for the Planning Service to speed up its decision taking process. This is a welcome first step on a number of ongoing measures as part of the wider Reform Programme"

Pre-application discussions are available for: strategically important applications including those with key economic implications, major commercial, industrial and other public sector proposals, major Quality Initiative housing schemes, including all Housing Association applications and major infrastructure projects for example, in relation to waste disposal, waste water treatment and energy.

(GK/JM)