Alliance demands joined-up government to make better planning decisions

1.57.39pm GMT Mon 27th Nov 2006

East Antrim Alliance MLA Sean Neeson

Alliance Party East Antrim MLA, Séan Neeson, has demanded joined-up government to ensure better decisions on planning are made. He is concerned that planning decisions are being made in Northern Ireland without regard for the impact on local services and infrastructure.

Séan Neeson said: "We need joined -up government in Northern Ireland to ensure that the right choices are made on planning. At the moment, Planning Service, Roads Service and other departments all act separately when it comes to regional development.

"There are areas of East Antrim like Jordanstown where great pressure is placed on GPs surgeries, local schools and local infrastructure like the sewage system, because of a lack of joined-up thinking on local planning.

"The pressure on local infrastructure will soon be too great for existing services to cope with. We must ensure that local people do not suffer because services are being stretched to breaking point.

"Whiteabbey village will change dramatically over the next year as large number of houses and apartments are being built or planned at the moment.

"Decisions on planning and development cannot be effectively taken without taking other matters into consideration. Joined-up government must be delivered so that the right decisions are made for everyone in Northern Ireland ."

ENDS