Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Planning chair brands local paper ads ‘ridiculous’

A Lisburn & Castlereagh planning chairperson has branded the need for local paper advertisement of applications as “ridiculous”.
By Donal McMahon, Local Democracy Reporter
Published 7th Feb 2024, 09:14 BST
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The comments come as a public consultation gets underway reviewing regulations in Northern Ireland.

The review has been driven by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) following a 2022 review into planning, which identified the need for a change in regulations.

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Castlereagh East Alliance Alderman, Martin Gregg said: “There is still a requirement for public planning lists to be published in local newspapers, which I feel is somewhat antiquated.

Alderman Martin Gregg has said the need for planning applications to be published in newspapers is 'ridiculous'. Pic credit: LCCCAlderman Martin Gregg has said the need for planning applications to be published in newspapers is 'ridiculous'. Pic credit: LCCC
Alderman Martin Gregg has said the need for planning applications to be published in newspapers is 'ridiculous'. Pic credit: LCCC

“The need for applications nowadays to be published in local papers is ridiculous.”

The recent regeneration committee of the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council heard that the consultation will cover aspects of community participation, focusing resources and reducing delays.

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Head of planning, Conor Hughes replied: “That would need a change to the legislation.

“We could support a more online approach.

“We will bring back the council’s response to the consultation back to the committee.”

Related topics:City CouncilCastlereaghLisburnNorthern Ireland