§ Lord Kilclooneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many planning applications in Armagh city were determined in each of the past six months; and whether resources are available in the Planning Service to process these applications. [HL3719]
§ The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos)The Planning Service in Northern Ireland has reviewed and continues to review its resources. I can advise the noble Lord that additional funding has been given to create an additional 125 posts across Northern Ireland covering a range of levels to further enhance its ability to deliver a speedier and improved service. The Planning Service is currently in the process of recruiting the additional staff to fill these posts, 15 of which have been allocated to the Craigavon Divisional Planning Office.
It is not possible to give precise figures of planning applications processed for Armagh city. However, the available figures for the number of applications determined for Armagh City & District Council area for a six-month period is as follows:
December 2003: 38 January 2004: 140 February 2004: 38 March 2004: 76 April 2004: 73 May 2004: 18