Leading Northern Irish politicians have held an event in Belfast to discuss issues affecting those in
town planning jobs across the nation.
At a special question time event organised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), key figures from four of the country's five main political parties congregated to field questions from members of the public, as well as business and community leaders.
Among the issues under consideration was the fragmentation of town planning functions across different divisions, the delivery of infrastructure projects, the role of environmental concerns and resourcing of local government reform.
Diana Thompson, chair for the RTPI in Northern Ireland, said this event comes as town planning takes an increasingly large role in political manifestos.
"These are extremely interesting days for the planning profession," she added.
Earlier this month, the organisation called on the government to ensure that the proposed National Planning Policy Framework is embedded as part of the new Localism Bill.
Posted by Francesca Critchlow
