Mid and East Antrim continue to lead the way as NI top local planner

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council continues to lead the way as one of Northern Ireland’s top local planning authority.

The DfI Northern Ireland Planning Monitoring Framework 2018/19 annual statistical bulletin includes details of Councils performance across the three statutory targets for major development applications, local development applications and enforcement cases alongside a suite of additional indicators that are intended to provide a comprehensive assessment of planning performance.

Chair of the Council’s Planning Committee, Cllr Robert Logan, said: “As a Council, we are passionate about sustaining, protecting and enhancing our natural environment, safeguarding our built heritage, driving retail growth and addressing our housing needs. I am pleased to hear we are setting the standard with an efficient planning system in place, brought about by our staff working at all levels, that allows for decisions to be made in a timely manner.

“Mid and East Antrim continues to maintain its top position as planning decisions within the borough are made in less time than anywhere else in Northern Ireland, with the average local application taking just 7.8 weeks to complete.

“We have also delivered on 88.2 per cent of enforcement cases within the 39 weeks’ timeframe against a target of 70 per cent.

“An efficient planning system is crucial to delivering on council’s number one strategic priority – growing the economy and as a council we will continue to do our utmost to provide the best possible conditions for businesses to flourish.”

The Council has also recently published its Local Development Plan, draft Plan Strategy. Formal public consultation on the draft Plan Strategy will begin on Wednesday 16 October for a period of eight weeks, closing at 5pm on Wednesday 11 December. A copy of the draft Plan Strategy and details of public events is available on the Councils website www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/LDP.