Town planning jobs in Northern Ireland will be carried out in a more proactive fashion in future following a widespread series of planned changes, it has been asserted.
Edwin Poots, environment minister for Northern Ireland, told the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) that independent assessors are being considered for major planning applications and area plans as part of the reform, reports BBC News.
"These changes offer us an unprecedented opportunity to transform our mainly regulatory planning system into a more proactive, co-ordinated and responsive system which will help to enable appropriate sustainable development," said Mr Poots.
The proposals, which also include giving local government a larger say in town planning jobs, have to be voted on by the Northern Ireland Assembly before they can be implemented.
Earlier this month, a Streamlined Consultation Scheme designed to improve town planning jobs was granted RTPI status.
It was first piloted by Derry Council before being rolled out to all 26 councils in Northern Ireland.
