The East Belfast MLA said: “The planning statistics are reflective of a system that needs major reform. There have been ongoing issues within the planning system for many years that have hindered Northern Ireland's ability to promote renewables, achieve Net Zero, and build the necessary housing stock. 

“Minor amendments, or introducing checklists, will not deliver the scale of change required to ensure decisions are processed on target, for the benefit of local communities and the wider Northern Irish economy.

“An effective planning system has the potential to bring about significant positive change for Northern Ireland and would deliver jobs and economic growth. This is especially important in delivering the infrastructure to reach Net Zero, which Alliance remains fully committed to through the prioritisation of renewable energy developments. 

“It is disappointing that the number of applications that have been received and decided is the lowest since records began in 2002, and that local and major applications have also missed their 15 and 30 week processing target by a significant margin. This is a worrying indication of how our planning system functions and how it is perceived by potential applicants and investors in our economy.

“My Alliance colleagues and I will continue to work at all levels of government to ensure the necessary changes to the planning system are implemented. In particular, we’ll continue to call for steps to streamline the Local Development Plan process and trial the introduction of statutory timeframes for determining applications.”