News

Planning advice service suffers 60 per cent funding cut

Environment minister Mark H Durkan. Picture by Ann McManus
Environment minister Mark H Durkan. Picture by Ann McManus Environment minister Mark H Durkan. Picture by Ann McManus

A PLANNING advice service that helps communities challenge controversial applications has had its funding slashed by 60 per cent.

Community Places has assisted residents and community groups on major planning cases from Doraville wind farm in the Sperrins to west Belfast's Casement Park.

However, the Department of the Environment has more than halved the organisation's funding from £175,000 last year to £70,000 for 2016/17.

It comes amid increasing concerns over planning procedures after The Irish News on Monday revealed that hundreds of councillors have failed to declare property and business interests.

The problems emerge a year after councils were handed control of planning powers.

Community Places said it last year advised more than 200 individuals across 50 different communities.

Among those helped have been residents concerned about the size of a proposed new Casement GAA stadium.

Residents successfully challenged the plans through the courts, with planning approval overturned in December 2014 after a High Court judge ruled it was unlawful.

Tony Dignan, of the Mooreland and Owenvarragh Residents Association (Mora), said the funding cut was "completely illogical".

"Mora can testify to the value of the expert planning advice and assistance provided by Community Places, which was critical in our successful application for judicial review of the Casement Park planning application," he said.

"We find it completely illogical that there seems to be an unlimited amount of funding, running into the millions, available for projects such as the ill-fated Casement Park redevelopment proposal, yet Community Places' already modest grant income is set to be slashed."

Colm Bradley, director of Community Places, urged the minister to "immediately review this drastic cut".

"We are advising communities on how they can respond to multi-million pound planning proposals which will alter townlands and neighbourhoods for generations to come. This 60 per cent cut puts this in jeopardy and makes life for these communities even more difficult," he said.

Environment minister Mark H Durkan disputed the claim that funding was being cut by 60 per cent.

He said the "baseline funding" for the past year had been £70,000 and a further £105,000 was found later.

However, in a press release in 2013 Mr Durkan announced three years of Community Places funding worth £465,500 that specifically allocated £175,000 for 2015/16.

Last night Mr Durkan said any further funding would have to be agreed with the new minister following the creation of the new Department for Infrastructure.

"I understand that this position is frustrating for Community Places and I appreciate the work Community Places carries out on behalf of communities. However, grant funding is constrained by the initial budgets that have been set for the new departments," he said.

"Following the assembly election, a new minister may be able to review the financial position, taking account of the need to protect front line services."

Meanwhile, an SDLP councillor has insisted that he properly declared his interests on Newry, Mourne and Down council.

Brian Quinn's declarations form did not mention being a director of Newry-based firm Travel 4 All CIC.

But the councillor said he declared being a non-remunerated director of Newry and Mourne Community Transport.

He said the initiative, which helps rural disabled and elderly people, provides some services on behalf of Travel 4 All CIC.