Councillors concerned over new planning unit

Councillors concerned over new planning unit

5 August 2015

SIGNS of serious problems within the local planning department are emerging just three months after it was taken over by Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

Politicians from a number of parties are concerned about delays in formal planning approval notices being issued, the time taken to process applications and difficulty making direct contact with planners to discuss applications on behalf of residents.

A warning has also been issued that if the situation does not improve, a motion of no confidence in the head of the local planning department could be tabled at a future council meeting.

DUP councillors Glynn Hanna and Billy Walker said while the new council’s planning committee is getting through applications “quite well” and decisions are being made, planning staff appear 

to be struggling to keep up with paper work, including issuing formal approval notices.

“When planning approval is granted the stamped paperwork is very slow in getting out to applicants, if at all,” claimed councillor Hanna. “I know there is a considerable backlog, but if there is a problem it is not being brought to council. 

“Councillor Walker and I are concerned that when we send send an email to planners requesting information about an application, we either get no response or just replies to say the planners have received the email, which is very frustrating.

“I am tempted to put down a motion of no confidence in the head of the planning department and know from speaking to other councillors that they are having similar problems as me. I fear planning officers have not absorbed the fact they are not the decision makers anymore as it is the planning committee and councillors who have the final say.”

Councillor Walker argued the planning system worked better before Down and Newry and Mourne councils merged and said it’s his understanding that the number of planning staff currently working locally has reduced due to maternity leave and sickness.

He added: “Whatever the reason for the current difficulties, it needs to be addressed to improve the service planners provide to elected representatives and people across the entire council area. The current system is not working as it should.”

Rowallane SDLP councillor, Terry Andrews, who chairs the Regulatory and Technical Services Committee which oversees the local authority’s planning department, said he is aware of the concerns which have been raised.

“Councillors do have concerns and I hope they can be satisfactorily addressed. Members of a number of parties have spoken about the issue and everyone recognises the importance of the planning department. I hope every effort is being made to address members’ concerns and they will be resolved speedily,” he continued. “Planning agents and residents are also concerned about the time it is taking to process planning applications.”

Councillor Andrews’ party colleague Colin McGrath said while council officers respond within hours to queries by councillors, “that doesn’t seem to be the same with planners.”

He added: “I appreciate there are severe difficulties and backlogs in the planning department and the transfer to council didn’t see an increase in resources for the service. However, communication is important for people going through the the planning process and I have asked the council’s chief executive and the director responsible to review the situation and ensure greater responsiveness by planners to the public and councillors.”

Independent councillor Cadogan Enright said he has found it hard to get a response from middle-level planners, even when using the email addresses and telephone numbers supplied to councillors for this purpose.

He added: “The new head of the planning department operates an open door policy for any councillor with a complaint or concern and is genuinely interested in reform of what was historically an under-performing planning department. However, the team under him do not seem to be reflecting his attitude or leadership at this time.”

Councillor Robert Burgess (UUP) said while he is aware of concerns about the performance of the planning department, he argued the delay in processing applications is not always the fault of planners.

“In some cases, there are delays in processing applications because planners have not been provided with additional information they have been asked for. Yes there are delays, but it’s not always the fault of the planners,” he contended.

A Newry, Mourne and Down Council spokeswoman said if elected members have concerns with the quality of service provided by any council department, the local authority has “agreed internal procedures for resolving these concerns.”