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Maginness: Ryanair debacle shows planning reform warning wasn’t listened to

SDLP Enterprise spokesperson Alban Maginness has said warnings over the need to reform the Planning Service in order to safeguard investment were not listened to by the Executive and has further called for an overhaul of the Planning Service before any further investment is lost through prolonged planning processes.

Wed 1st September

Mr Maginness was speaking in light of the fallout over Ryanair’s departure from Belfast City Airport.

 

He said: “The Ryanair debacle has highlighted the folly of the current Planning Service and it has to be said, it wasn’t exactly a surprise when it happened.

 

“The SDLP warned this would happen in its financial policy document ‘New Priorities in Difficult Times’ released in May 2009 and we have continually called for an overhaul of the Planning Service and how it does its business.

 

“In our document we called for an accelerated reform of the Planning Service in order to create one that is fit for purpose to ensure that investors were not deterred from developing projects here due to planning difficulties.

 

“We need to create an environment of speedy planning decisions where important developments can be fastracked, ultimately, we need to become much more business friendly. It would be better for our Executive ministers to refrain from making critical comments about commercial enterprises and concentrate on creating a business friendly environment.

 

“Sadly, although it was forewarned, the ordinary customers, and ultimately, NI PLC will pay the price for indecision and inadequacy.”

Alban Maginness

Alban Maginness MLA, Assembly

Email a.maginness@sdlp.ie
Tel 028 9022 0520

Press Office

Tel 028 90 52 1837

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