AQW 7407/09

Mrs Naomi Long
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 30/04/2009
Answered On Date: 11/05/2009
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of the Environment if Planning Service has the power to consider the impact upon residential amenity of issues, such as parking or flooding, where the technical expertise for assessing policy compliance and technical issues such as safety lies with a statutory consultee; and where that consultee has not raised a technical objection, but where amenity may be affected.

Answer:

There are many material considerations that may be relevant in the determination of a planning application and these will vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Residential amenity is a material planning consideration and impact on residential amenity is a matter for my Department to consider as part of the assessment and determination of a planning application. The comments of consultees such as Roads Service and Rivers Agency are also a key part of the development management process as they provide expert advice on road and flood risk matters where the circumstances are appropriate. As part of the determination of a planning application my Department will consider all factors and make a balanced planning judgement based on the individual material considerations of the case.