Latest News in Northern Ireland

Stalemate over NI rural planning policy

Agreement over proposals to relax rural planning laws in Northern Ireland cannot be reached, according to environment minister Sammy Wilson.

A-Z of Planning Consultants: last chance to submit entries

Go to the online survey and complete it now to make sure you are part of this indispensable directory.

Course seeks to build skills

Northern Ireland planners can now get regeneration training courtesy of a British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA) initiative.

Planning Appeal Casebook

Ancillary retail allowed at trade park

An inspector has quashed enforcement notices directed against the sale of goods to the public from four units at a trading park in Hampshire but refused to allow a fifth because of the potential impact on a town centre.

In Depth

Shop test low on impact

Critics complain that uncertainty over a competition test leaves them lacking essential detail on the full implications of the government's revised retail planning policy, explains Vicki Shiel.

Bell on ... top talents for transport

Ten years ago and two hours into my new job with the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) I was giving evidence before the Commons transport select committee, of which Gwyneth Dunwoody was the co-chair.

Legal report

Model conditions flag up planning remediation role

The adventurer returns

Globetrotting planning troubleshooter Paul Nichols is back home and relishing taking the helm at a regional arm of one of the UK's most high-profile consultancy operations, Ben Lee reports.