Earlier this week we were delighted by Environment Minister Mark H Durkan's announcement that he will not progress further with the controversial Planning Bill.
The Bill, originally intended to smooth the way for the transfer of planning powers to councils, was becoming a piece of legislation which put economic considerations at the forefront of planning decisions, rather than sustainable development. To make matters worse, further amendments were added for ‘economically significant planning zones’ with no regard for the special places we seek to protect.
Check out http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/specialplaces/archive/2013/10/24/good-news-for-the-natural-environment-northern-ireland-planning-bill-withdrawn.aspx to read more from our Policy Advocacy Officer Colum Delaney.