Executive Minister Sammy Wilson has said he will continue to lobby for individual planning applications - despite being the head of the Northern Ireland planning service.

According to a newspaper report, Mr Wilson's stance has already raised concerns within the Department of Environment.

However, the DUP MLA and MP stressed he has a duty to his constituents to approach planning officials on their behalf.

Unease has reportedly been voiced among Planning Service staff over the Minister's correspondence on individual applications.

But a department spokesperson has said: "As an MP and MLA, the Minister can raise issues around planning applications in his constituency with the Planning Service.

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"Planning files are open to the public and transparent. Any representation made by any constituency representative is openly recorded."

The spokesperson said a conflict of ministerial interests would only arise if Mr Wilson was involved in the final decision making process, which would be avoided.

Minister Wilson told the Belfast Telegraph: "It would be absurd, when planning is such a big issue, for an elected MP or elected MLA to be prevented from contacting planning officials.

"I will not allow myself to be corralled in that way. I have a job to do."

"It's all been totally transparent - either recorded on file or because I put it in writing."

The Environment Minister said raising applications, where the final decision rested with him, was completely "off limits".

Mr Wilson has proved a somewhat divisive figure since attaining the Environment portfolio in June.

He has angered environmentalists over his scepticism of climate change, and last week ruled officials from the Republic should not sit on departmental advisory bodies.

(PR/JM)