Time for closer working between the housing and planning sectors

Editor
23 September 2009 - 9:06am
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Tagged as:

• community planning
• Environment
• housing
• Infrastructure

The conference will be attended by the Minister for the Environment, the President of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association and key policy makers from across Northern Ireland and Britain. 
 
Measures for radical reform of the planning system, announced by Edwin Poots MLA, Minister of Environment in July, will be debated at the CIH autumn conference in Belfast.  The event will examine the proposals currently being consulted by the Department including: fundamental reform to the development plan system; a new approach to development management; developer contributions towards infrastructure; and cultural change in delivery.
 
The Director of CIH Northern Ireland, Grainia Long, said:  "The planning and housing systems work best when they complement each other, and work to similar goals.  This conference is the first opportunity for housing and planning professionals to come together to debate proposals for a reformed planning system. It is critical that housing and planning professionals work in partnership to deliver the right homes, in the right locations at the right prices. The housing system is entirely dependent on a strong and effective planning system; if we are to deliver the homes we need for the future, now is the time for debate on how we go forward." 
 
She continued, “The conference will also see the launch of the joint CIH-RTPI Planning for Housing Network. This network will bring together housing and planning professionals through a Housing Network, which will support delivery of sustainable housing and the place shaping agenda.”
 
Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, said: "I believe that the proposals in the consultation paper lay the foundation for transforming the current planning system.  The current consultation is a significant step on the journey to securing greater effectiveness and responsiveness for all users of the system.”

CIH Northern Ireland’s Autumn Conference will be held at the Hilton
Hotel in Belfast on 24 September 2009. Information on speakers and
other contributors to the conference is available at
www.cih.org.