Planning Bill : explanatory and financial memorandum

The Department of the Environment (DOE) is delivering a major programme to reform the Northern Ireland planning system.

Key elements of the programme are already in place including the Planning (Northern Ireland) Act 2011 (ISBN 9780105951179).

The Department intends to transfer planning functions to councils in 2015 in line with the Executive's commitment to reform local government.

In the interim, the Executive has agreed to the drafting of a Bill to accelerate the introduction of a number of reforms to the planning system contained within the 2011 Act.

This Bill legislates in five key areas which will lead to: faster processing of planning applications; a faster and fairer planning appeals system; enhanced community involvement; simpler and tougher enforcement; other measures to enhance the environment.