Northern Ireland Environment Minister Arlene Foster has returned from Edinburgh where she had discussions with John Swinney MSP, the Minister responsible for planning in Scotland, and key officials.

Jim Mackinnon the Chief Planner and Jim McCulloch the Chief Reporter, told the Minister about their experiences of recent planning reform in Scotland. Areas of key interest included their reforms of the development planning regime and their focus on proportionate decision making in development control to ensure that those developments of economic and social significance to Scotland are dealt with efficiently and expeditiously.

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Ms Foster said: “I discussed issues which had a very clear resonance as I pursue my own agenda for planning reform in Northern Ireland. I am committed to developing a planning system that is accountable, flexible and responsive and which meets the economic, social and environmental needs of Northern Ireland.

“This has been a very useful visit and I am keen to further develop the relationship with Scotland to explore areas of mutual interest, such as the modernisation and increased effectiveness of the planning system."

(VB)