We have organised three Planning Reform Information Events to help communities respond to the Planning Reform Consultation Paper. 

The events will be held on:

-  Tuesday, 25 August 2009 at 10.30 am in the Rural Community Network, 38a Oldtown Street, Cookstown;

-  Wednesday, 26 August 2009 at 10.30 am in NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast; and on 

-  Thursday, 27 August 2009 at 10.30 am in the Marian Hall, 4 The Crescent, Portstewart.

The information events will last approximately two hours and the event on Tuesday, 25 August 2009 is being co-hosted with the Rural Community Network.  Please reserve your place at one of the information events by Thursday, 20 August 2009 by emailing Louise McNeill ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).  

We have also prepared a Community Briefing which highlights how the planning reform proposals will affect local communities - click here to download it. 

(17 August 2009)

The Planning Service is holding 11 consultation events during September 2009 on its proposals for the Reform of Planning.  For further details of the events, including dates and venues, please click on the link below. 

Planning Reform Consultation Events

To reserve your place at one of the events, please register online at: www.event-ful.co.uk/planning or contact Julie Corey at the event-ful consultancy (Telephone: 9043 4320, Fax: 9043 4321 or Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Community Places will be organising two events in August 2009 to help community groups develop their views on the consultation proposals.  Please check back here soon for further details. 

(14 August 2009)

Colin Glen Forest Park has recently been awarded the Green Flag Award by the Civic Trust.  The Forest Park, located on the Stewartstown Road between Belfast and Lisburn, is a 200 acre wooded glen on the banks of the Colin River, a tributary of the River Lagan.  The Park also features a lake, wildlife ponds, open meadows and spectacular views over the city of Belfast.

The Green Flag Award is the national standard for quality parks and green spaces and Colin Glen Forest Park was commended at the awards ceremony as the only non-council owned park to win the award. 

The Park is managed by Colin Glen Trust whose main aims are to conserve and enhance the biodiversity and wildlife of the Forest Park, and to provide an open and welcoming community space.  The Trust works in close partnership with local neighbourhood groups, environmental interest groups, volunteer groups and local service providers and organises a wide range of educational and recreational events for the public, including wildflower walks, grow your own vegetable demonstrations, 'bat nights', tree planting days and orienteering events.  

For further information see www.colinglentrust.org

The new Minister for the Environment, Edwin Poots MLA, has launched his consultation proposals for major changes to the planning system.  The proposed changes have an impact on many aspects of planning including:

-  community consultation on planning applications;

-  people's rights to be heard at inquiries;

-  rights of appeal by objectors; and

-  developer contributions.

Consultation events are being held by the Planning Service during September 2009.  "Before then", said Colm Bradley, Director of Community Places, "we will be providing advice and support to our members and other community groups so that they can all present their views with as much effect as possible". 


(8 July 2009)

Minister for the Environment, Edwin Poots MLA, today launched this new website and Guide to the Planning System.  Speaking at the launch at the BBC Blackstaff House, the Minister said:

"The new website provides advice and information on planning issues for community groups and individuals who may otherwise not access the planning system.  I am delighted to launch the new site today and welcome the work of Community Places in supporting local communities and their involvement in the planning process."

Access to a range of guides and factsheets on planning issues is freely available on the website as is an Information Pack on Community Planning.  See the different menu items to the left of this page.  The new Guide to the Planning System also launched by the Minister explains how to apply for planning permission or object to a planning application and how applications are assessed.  Community Places Director Colm Bradley said "we are delighted the Minister was able to launch the new website and guide today and are grateful for the ongoing support of this Department.  We now look forward to receiving online requests for advice and information and to working with local communities and individuals in greatest need of the support we provide". 

 Published 2 July 2009