Planning Service

The Planning Service was an agency within the Department of the Environment, which regulated the development and the use of land in the public interest and whose functions have been taken over by the Department for Infrastructure.

Origins

The Town and Country Planning Service was established in 1973 when the responsibilities of local planning authorities briefly passed to the Ministry of Development and later to the Department of the Housing, Local Government and Planning before being integrated into the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. The Department's statutory planning functions are currently governed by the Planning Order 1991 and associated subordinate legislation.
In April 1996, the Town and Country Planning Service became an Executive Agency of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, known as "The Planning Service".
Following devolution of authority to the Northern Ireland Executive in 1998, the "Department of The Environment for Northern Ireland" was renamed "The Department of The Environment". Some functions previously handled by the "old" Department were transferred to other Northern Ireland Departments. The Planning Service continues to operates an Executive agency within the Department of The Environment.

Provide operational planning policy, Development Plans and high quality professional planning decisions.
Improve delivery of services, having regard to the effective use of available resources, Section 75 of and Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and associated human rights and equality policies.
Improve the quality of services available to customers in line with the principles of Service First - The New Charter Programme and the Agency's Charter Standards Statement.
Provide an accurate and speedy land and property information service to the conveyancing community
Ensure that Development Plans, Planning Policies and Development Control promote the orderly and consistent use of land.
Obtain best value and efficiency in the management of the Agency.
Develop and maintain effective financial and management information systems
Maintain high levels of motivation, skills and performance of staff
Explore opportunities for and introduce, where practicable, Public Private Partnership arrangements