Attwood Launches New Planning Complaints Procedure

A new streamlined planning complaints procedure was launched today by Environment Minister Alex Attwood.

The procedure, designed to make the process of complaining easier and more user friendly, is now operational.

The main change is to reduce the number of steps from three to two.

Mr Attwood said: "Planning is complex. The easier we make it for the public to navigate, the better. The winding up of the Planning Service and the integration of planning into the Department of Environment has provided an excellent opportunity to introduce a more customer-focused and streamlined complaints procedure.


"I am glad to say that most planning related complaints can be dealt with in an informal way over the telephone and it is possible to resolve many issues by this method. The new procedure I am introducing is intended to manage more formal complaints which would normally be made in writing to the relevant Planning Officer.

"The main change is to reduce the number of steps from three to two, the first stage handled by the appropriate Area Planning Manager and the second at Director level; this will short-circuit the process and lead to speedier resolutions.

"Any complainant who still remains dissatisfied can ask an MLA to take the complaint to the Assembly Ombudsman."

(CD/GK)