Mid Ulster Council hits key planning targets

Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, over 80% of the planning applications received by the council between April and June this year were approved, with an average processing time of 14 weeks, making Mid Ulster one of only 3 councils to come in under the 15-week processing target.

The enforcement of planning regulations has also continued with 100% of cases concluded within the target time of 39 weeks for an investigation.

The Council issued the second highest number of approvals of all 11 councils here and statistics also show that Mid Ulster received the third highest number of planning applications, including 4 major applications, the highest number outside of Belfast City.

Speaking on the performance of the planning service, Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Sean McPeake said: “These statistics demonstrate very clearly the high performance of the planning service in Mid Ulster, even during a very challenging, difficult and uncertain few months.

“Throughout the COVID-19 crisis I have continued to praise and applaud the fantastic work of the planning service and the latest statistics are confirmation again of the fact that despite dealing with one of the highest caseloads of all councils here, we have successfully maintained and delivered a largely uninterrupted service enabling the growth of sustainable development and protecting our local economy.”

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