Agenda and minutes

Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Aldermen R. Patterson and Smyth and Councillors Curran and McNamee.

No declarations were reported.

(Mr. C. McIlwaine, Area Planning Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1    As part of the ongoing Planning Reform agenda there have been a number of changes to the application processes which have been introduced during a period when the volume of applications have significantly reduced.

1.2    Following the consideration of a report to the May 2012 Strategic Policy & Resources meeting, it was agreed that a consideration be given to the potential for refocusing the Committees dual monthly meetings.  This decision to explore the focus for the Committee and capacity building was taken in the context of the correspondence from the Minister about extending the current streamlined consultation scheme and a desire to identify the most effective approach of delivering the Council’s Investment programme.

1.3    In January 2009 the Town Planning Committee agreed to adopt revised arrangements in regard to the Council’s determination of planning applications of a minor nature using the streamlined consultation process. The Streamlining process originally applied to relatively minor applications or modifications to existing consents.

1.4    In March 2010 Committee agreed to the extension of the list of types of planning applications which could be included within the Streamlined Consultation Process. The following types of application incorporated into the modified streamlined process:

-      conservation area consent;

-      listed building consent;

-      change of use;

-      all extensions and alterations;

-      floodlighting;

-      housing applications for up to five dwellings;

-      renewable energy generators;

-      solar power;

-      domestic wind turbines; and

-      open space facilities.

1.5    The current proposal from the Minister of the Environment Alex Atwood is that the streamlining consultation process be further extended to include:

-      all other minor and intermediate applications;

-      housing applications up to a maximum of 25 units; and

-      office accommodation up to a maximum of 200 sq metres.

         On the 18^th of October 2012 the Committee agreed to convene a Special Meeting to consider the proposals from Minister of the Environment Alex Atwood in relation to the proposed streamlining changes.

2       Key Issues

2.1    The letter from the Minister suggests that adoption of the proposed expanded criteria for the identification of streamlined application would, if agreed to, result in around 75% of all planning applications being taken out of the direct Committee consideration process.

2.2    It should, however be noted that previous guidance provided by departmental officials suggested that the level of streamlined delegation appropriate to each Council could be modified in discussion between the divisional manager and the authority. It may, therefore, be appropriate to consider the scope of the proposed changes in more detail taking account of the Committee experiences under the existing scheme and the concerns in respect of the scale of application that may now be deemed to fall within streamlining.

2.3    In addition it should be recognised that through the adoption of an extended or modified streamlining process there may be increased opportunity and time available for Committee to give  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.