Planning Officer claims queried

John McCallister, who is running as an Independent Unionist in South Down in the forthcoming Assembly election, has questioned the Chief Planning Officer's assessment that the transfer of planning powers to the new super councils has been a success.

Mr McCallister said: “In my own constituency of South Down, I have lost count of the number of agents, businesses and applicants seeking help because they are frustrated beyond belief with Newry, Mourne and Down Council. “I do not believe the devolution of planning services to local Councils has been a success in South Down and the Chief Planning Officer and the Minister must not allow complacency to creep in.”