§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many enforcement notices were issued by each of the planning divisions in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; how many were issued between 1 April and 9 May; how many are still in operation; and what the timescale is for the act of enforcement to be implemented. [116832]
§ Angela SmithAlthough statistical records maintained by the Planning Service have historically taken account of enforcement procedures, it is only since 1999 that separate data specifically relating to enforcement action has been recorded. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of enforcement statistics by Division.
823WPresented in the table is the total number of enforcement notices issued for each year since 1999. These figures are published in the Agency Annual Report and Accounts for the years 1999–2002.
Number 1999–2000 82 2000–01 54 2001–02 50 2002–03 40 1 April to 9 May 2003 8 Note:
The enforcement notices issued since 1 April 2003 remain in effect. Under Article 68(8) of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, each enforcement notice should specify the period for compliance. The period allowed for compliance depends on the circumstances of each case.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial resources were allocated to the implementation of planning enforcement cases in each of the planning divisions in each of the last five years; how many officers are employed to undertake enforcement work in each of the planning divisions in Northern Ireland; and how many there were in 1997. [116833]
§ Angela SmithThe Department of the Environment's Planning Service's annual expenditure on salaries for officers employed in enforcement work, during the last five financial years, was:
£ 1998–99 338,100 1999–2000 353,300 2000–01 369,200 2001–02 385,800 2002–03 403,200 There are currently 20 officers devoted to enforcement work. These officers are deployed by Divisional Planning Office as follows:
Number Belfast Division 3 Ballymena Division 3 Craigavon Division 3 Downpatrick Division 3 Londonderry Division 4 Omagh Division 4 The additional officers in the Londonderry and Omagh Divisions are based in the Coleraine and Enniskillen sub-offices.
This dedicated staffing complement was put in place in 1998. Prior to this, enforcement work was taken forward as an integral part of development control casework and it is therefore not possible to provide comparison figures for 1997.
A number of measures to enhance enforcement powers were included in the Planning (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, to simplify, streamline and strengthen the Department's existing enforcement powers.
824WPlanning Service is also reviewing the resources dedicated to enforcement as part of the Modernising Planning Processes Implementation Plan, and is seeking substantial additional resources to address enforcement and other priority areas. Views on whether the costs of enforcement action should be recovered from planning fees will also be sought in a consultation paper on planning fees, which is due to be published shortly.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is towards third party appeals in relation to planning applications in Northern Ireland. [130216]
§ Angela SmithI am conscious of the potential implications that the introduction of third party appeals would have for the operation of Northern Ireland's planning system and economy. That is why I have commissioned a Regulatory Impact Assessment of the impact that third party appeals would have, if introduced. When complete, I will wish to give that assessment the most careful consideration before making a decision on how to deal with this important issue.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what criteria are applied in determining planning applications in areas of townscape character; [130217]
(2) what steps he has taken to ensure compliance with development guidance notes in relation to planning applications in areas of townscape character; [130218]
(3) if he will take steps to ensure that planning applications in areas of townscape character are carefully monitored pending the determination of policy on third party appeals. [130219]
§ Angela SmithThe Department of the Environment is obliged by law to have regard to the Development Plan, so far as it is material, and to any other material considerations in determining planning applications. In relation to Areas of Townscape Character, other material considerations includes the Regional Development Strategy, Planning Policy Statements in particular PPS 1, PPS6 and PPS7 and advice in the form of supplementary planning guidance.
All proposals in Areas of Townscape Character are carefully assessed to ensure compliance with published policy and guidance taking account of any other relevant matters. As with all planning applications, proposals in Areas of Townscape Character are processed in an open and transparent manner. This allows an opportunity for the receipt of public representations and involves consultation with the relevant district council and other statutory bodies.
To afford additional protection for Areas of Townscape Character. I intend later this year to introduce control over demolition within these areas. When the relevant statutory provisions are concerned, I will publish an addendum to Planning Policy Statement 6, which will set out my Department's policy for the control of development in Areas of Townscape Character.