News

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".

We are delighted to congratulate Rathlin Development and Community Association now that its dedication and efforts in lobbying for a policy specific to the island have finally paid off. For many years islanders have spent a lot of time and energy working to ensure the provision of basic services, which most people on the mainland take for granted.  Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy announced the Executive's endorsement of a central government policy for Rathlin Island during a visit to the island on 10 June 2009 when he opened the Association's new Community Resource Centre.

Mr Murphy said: “Today marks a new way forward for the community here on Rathlin. As the only off-shore inhabited island in the North of Ireland, we have developed in partnership with the islanders, a central government policy which recognises and sets out to address the unique challenges experienced by island life. This new policy protects the island's heritage and way of life yet promotes its viability and sustainability now and for the future. 

This policy will now allow the Executive to proactively respond to the needs of the islanders on issues around public transport and roads infrastructure, health and social care, education and schooling, agriculture, community development, tourism and economic development."