§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the planning services and procedures for enforcement indicating the72W priority given to ensuring enforcement of planning conditions laid down by the Planning Appeals Commission. [82920]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyIt is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland under the Planning (NI) Order 1991, where it considers it expedient to do so, to take enforcement action against all breaches of planning control. Each case is considered on its merits and no special priority is given to ensuring enforcement of conditions laid down by the Planning Appeals Commission.
§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Planning Appeals Commission's handling of recent cases in Derry. [82903]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyIn the last year, in the Derry District Council Area, the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) heard 22 appeals. Of these, 18 were allowed and 4 dismissed. The PAC also held 2 inquiries on which the Department of the Environment (NI) has now made its decisions. In one case, the Department accepted the recommendation of the PAC to grant planning permission; in the other, although the PAC recommended that the application should be refused, the Department, having considered all relevant planning issues, concluded that planning permission should be granted.
The PAC is an entirely independent body and it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to comment on the handling of cases by the PAC or on the merits of PAC decisions.