To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether consideration is being given to the introduction of pre-application discussion processing targets for local councils.

Engaging stakeholders is an essential part of an effective and inclusive planning system. Pre-application discussions (PADs) are intended to add value at the start of the development management process by improving the quality of the proposal and allowing applicants the opportunity to amend their emerging proposals to accommodate stakeholder opinion. This seeks to ensure that all parties are clear on the process that leads to a decision.

The issue of PADs was raised by a broad cross-section of respondents to the call for evidence on the review of the implementation of the Planning Act (NI) 2011 and I will be giving consideration to the evidence received in finalising the review.

In addition, the Department’s Planning Forum has conducted an initial review of the current PAD process to identify potential improvements in practice between planning authorities and statutory consultees. This work is ongoing, including a local government-led workshop due to take place in the new year to consider how to create a more consistent, structured and proportionate PAD process which will, in turn, contribute to improving planning application processing times especially for major and regionally significant applications.