The proposed new regulations will consolidate and update the Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999. The EIA Regulations require projects that are likely to have a significant effect on the environment to undergo an environmental impact assessment before they receive development consent.
The Minister said:
“I believe that every stone should be turned to improve the planning system. This consultation proposes changes to speed up the inquiry process for major planning applications and make planning regulations easier to understand, use and a means to move applications onwards.
“Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations generally are designed to help the development industry protect the environment. They help us make sure the North remains an attractive place to live, work and invest. They are important. But making a planning system easier and quicker are also key objectives which I will push and pursue.”
The DOE will be undertaking consultation on the draft Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 for a period of 8 weeks ending on 15 November 2011.
Click here for the consultation document.
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