Average processing times have fallen for all types of planning applications processed in Northern Ireland over the past year, a new report has revealed.

During the last year 20,469 applications were received and 24,637 applications were decided; a higher output-to-input ratio than in 2007/08.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots said the report highlights some areas of significant improvement on the Planning Service PSA targets.

"Particularly around the processing of intermediate type planning applications where the average processing time had been reduced for a consecutive year, from 30 weeks to 23."

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The report revealed that Planning Service met seven out of nine processing targets set in the Agency Business Plan compared to four out of six in 2007/08

Minister Poots said significant effort has been made to improve the Planning Service’s efficiency and speed up the planning process, through the introduction of a number of operational reforms.

However, the Minister was adamant that he would continue to drive forward further reform and improvement.

He said: "I am committed to a programme of reform for the Planning System and would encourage everyone to respond to the current consultation paper on planning reform.

"This process will shape our future planning system and help ensure the system meets our community’s needs, both today and tomorrow."

He added: "We will continue to work towards ensuring a fit for purpose service would be in place as part of the review of public administration."

(PR/BMcc)