Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the persons who make decisions on planning applications at local level.
§ Mr. ConcannonAuthorised officers of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Planning.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what means is it possible to have planning decisions challenged and changed.
§ Mr. ConcannonWhen a planning application has been refused or granted subject to conditions, the applicant has a right of appeal to the Planning Appeals Commission. The revocation or modification of a planning permission already granted is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Planning.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if a minute is kept of meetings where planning decisions are made; where are such minutes kept; and if such minutes are available to the public or their elected representatives.
§ Mr. ConcannonRecords of internal discussions are not available to the public or their elected representatives.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if any members of the architectural heritage group who are known to have a financial interest in the result of a planning application are permitted to put their views to the planning authorities, or if they have been advised that they should make such interests public.
§ Mr. ConcannonMembers of the public, including members of groups and societies, may make representations regarding planning applications, and such representations are taken into account in746W reaching decisions. Persons making representations are not required to declare an interest, whether financial or otherwise, in the outcome of a planning application, and no one has been advised to make such an interest public.