The Department of the Environment has issued its decisions on the future shape of planning in the region.  Community lobbying by members of Community Places has been successful in: 

• protecting everyone's right to be heard at public inquiries on planning issues;
• winning the legal right for communities to be consulted on major developments before planning applications are submitted;
• securing a statutory link between Community Plans and Area Plans;
• gaining acceptance of the need for Development Plans to support both social and sustainable development, assist in tackling disadvantage and poverty and promoting inclusion and equality.

Two other major issues have been recognised as needing further consideration in the future.  These are: Third Party Right of Appeal (which was supported by 59% of responses) and Community Infrastructure Levy (developers' contributions) which was supported by 90% of community and voluntary groups and 43% of business and development responses.  The full report is available on Planning Service's website and further details on the community issues are available from Community Places.