24/03/2025
Today, members of the RSUA Fermanagh and Omagh Local Group met with Sinead McEvoy, the Director of Regeneration and Planning for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC), and Paul McDermott, the Council’s Lead Planner, to discuss issues and concerns regarding the planning process in the area.
RSUA was represented by Richard Collins, Peter Dolan, Alastair Keys, Joe Lynam and Dan McNulty.
Overall Processing Times
RSUA members expressed broad approval for the Council’s processing times for applications.
FODC related that it was among the best performing councils in Northern Ireland, with current waiting times at approximately 10 weeks for local planning applications and 18 weeks for majors.
Information Reports
Members raised concerns regarding FODC’s requests for additional information reports, agreeing them to be expensive and time-consuming to produce and have reviewed.
RSUA emphasised that the Council should only request information that is essential to the progress of an application and should do so as early as possible.
The Council suggested engaging in Pre-Application Discussions (PADs) as a way for agents to agree with Case Officers on what they believe should be required for a given application at a suitably early stage.
NIEA (Bat Surveys)
RSUA members raised the issue that statutory consultees are increasingly inaccessible. A particular challenge is caused by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s (NIEA) delays in reviewing bat surveys.
FODC acknowledged that these delays are unacceptable but noted that NIEA is addressing the backlog. The Council stated that issues with the NIEA have a significant impact on its performance, but that it is working with the agency to process applications. Additionally, FODC is reviewing standing advice for consultees, including NIEA, to expedite the application process overall.
The Council again suggested PADs for the discussion of bat-related issues, where ecological specialists can assist. Furthermore, FODC said it can process applications if the PAD has been adhered to, even if consultees are not responding.
NI Water (Infrastructural Issues)
RSUA members expressed concerns about the absence of NI Water infrastructure and the lack of clarity regarding current provision. We recommended that free advice and information, including maps, should be made available to clarify this. On this point, members stated that Pre-Development Enquiry (PDE) applications are expensive and take between six months and a year to process.
FODC has prioritised issues with NI Water and is lobbying the organisation, raising concerns about the economic impacts arising from the lack of investment and infrastructure.
However, potential interventions by the Council to explore alternative approaches for resolving blockages in the planning system are proving difficult due to NI Water’s lack of responsiveness.
Regarding infrastructural issues related to wastewater pipes only, FODC is permitting “negative conditions” in planning approvals. This allows developers to proceed while addressing water connection issues at a later stage.
Passive House Standard
RSUA asked whether the Council has considered, or is considering, promoting the Passive House standard through its planning policies to encourage more sustainable development and help meet the Council’s environmental targets.
FODC responded that Passive House was one of several energy efficiency measures promoted in its Planning Strategy as good practice guidance.
Local Planning Improvement Programme
FODC sought feedback on its draft Local Planning Improvement Programme (LPIP), released last month.
RSUA responded that FODC planners are generally approachable and easy to deal with and agreed that ongoing agent workshops have been positive.
However, members also expressed concerns that more junior Duty Planners occasionally provide inaccurate information on applications. RSUA recommended greater oversight from Senior Planning Officers to enhance expertise throughout the planning section.
FODC agreed to address this and to continue to work on building capacity and training.
Local Development Plan
FODC’s Plan Strategy has been adopted and will be implemented in May, June, or July.
The Council is currently reviewing all ‘Call for Sites’ applications to determine their suitability, availability, and deliverability. Settlement sites are also under review. The next stage will involve selecting the sites to be taken forward.
Although FODC reports that the timeframe for making these decisions is challenging, a target has been set for the first quarter of next year. However, it is unlikely that this deadline will be met.
RSUA will receive an update on the progress of these decisions at an agents’ workshop before the summer.
Planning Portal
FODC reported that it looks forward to the new version of the NI Planning Portal, which will increase the radius of its accompanying map to 500m as compared to the 200m featured on the previous portal.
The Council also stated its wish to streamline its payment process by switching exclusively to online payments through card, phasing out direct bank transfers to the Council.
RSUA approved of these suggestions and added some of its own:
The meeting ended with FODC declaring its willingness to meet again soon. If you have questions about this meeting or would like to join the RSUA Fermanagh and Omagh Local Group, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk
