You would think that in a small place like Northern Ireland prioritising the
environment would be a critical government concern, but seemingly it is the
opposite.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
review of planning in Northern Irelandpublished this month is damning, to say the very least. The PAC was “alarmed”
and “appalled” by the planning system. It is failing in its role to protect the
environment, be an economic driver or deliver places that people want to live
and work in.
The review vindicates the views and experiences of all the campaigners who have
raised problems with the system over the years. The report notes that the
planning system in Northern Ireland is not working, suffering from entrenched
problems.
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| Prehen Woodland, Brandon Hamber |
Like my father-in-law George McLaughlin, some have been trying to get these
issues recognised for decades, particularly in relation to the
Prehen Ancient Woodland. Finally, some acknowledgement.
Some specific findings include:
- the planning system lacks transparency and public trust;
- the PAC was “alarmed by
the volume of concerns around transparency” the PAC was “appalled by the
performance statistics” there is a lack of accountability for poor performance;
- the PAC was “alarmed by the Department’s misunderstanding of accountability”;
- the
planning system is one of the worst examples of silo-working within the public
sector;
- the Department’s leadership of the planning system has been weak;
- members
of the public feel excluded and often believe they have no choice but to launch
legal proceedings;
- the planning committees appear “to take an interest” in
particular developments;
- the PAC was “alarmed to hear that lobbying is
happening, even though it shouldn’t be”.
The PAC recommends that a Commission is
established to undertake a fundamental review to ascertain the long-term and
strategic changes that are needed to make the system fit for purpose.
Let’s hope
this Commission is established, and proper planning can be put in place that
protects the environment. The current dysfunctional bureaucracy with its
unaccountable and untransparent governance that routinely supports destructive
(lobbied-for) development must go.
Well done the 60-strong group,
the Gathering,
who have shone a light on this failed system.
Published by Brandon Hamber,
Slugger O’Toole, 5 April 2022. Also on
Medium.
