Mark Durkan
Foyle · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“That review involved an extensive engagement exercise with charities, regulators and funders, aimed at creating a more modern and proportionate regulatory system.”
“When the review was commenced in 2021, many organisations were still in the midst of responding to the pandemic. Since then, they have faced a succession of new and evolving challenges. The ending of European funding programmes, on which so many in our communities relied for decades, has left a significant gap.”
“<BR /> <BR />The broad principles behind the Bill are sensible. The changes will modernise charity regulation, strengthen the Charity Commission's ability to intervene where misconduct or mismanagement occurs, improve information sharing and, importantly, reduce unnecessary red tape, particularly for smaller charities with limited adminis…”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak today. Before turning to the detail of the legislation — there will not even be that much detail in the debate today at Second Stage — I pay tribute to our charity sector. Across every constituency, charities provide support that changes and saves lives every single day.”
“<BR /> <BR />Whilst the SDLP supports legislation that removes unnecessary bureaucracy, we should not kid ourselves that administrative reform alone will secure the future of charities and organisations in the voluntary and community sector.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. Like other Members, I welcome the fact that we have reached this point. There seems to be consensus among Committee members and, I am sure, all Members that the introduction of these measures will save lives, which begs the question of whether the 10-year delay in introducing the measures had an opposi…”
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“This major priority to facilitate job creation within and accessible to disadvantaged areas is in line with the Executive's anti-poverty and social inclusion strategy. Opportunities for job creation through the zoning of new sites and the protection of existing employment land will help promote regeneration.”
“Such areas provide a valuable housing stock and are homes for established communities that contribute to the variety and vitality of our town and city centres. Protected town centre housing areas are designated, and that will prevent any change of use from residential. The plan has made specific provision for social housing and accommodation for the Traveller community. <BR /> <BR />Whilst it is not the role of the plan to create jobs, the plan's proposals seek to promote and facilitate job creation by establishing a framework that is supportive of employment and business need and responsive to the needs of the community. The promotion of Belfast city centre and the development of opportunities within Belfast harbour will support the provision of new job opportunities in central locations accessible to all sections of the community.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It is important to outline that this plan is not solely for investors. It does, however, provide certainty for investors, which, in turn, will provide opportunity for all people within the plan area. The plan proposals seek to promote equality of opportunity and to tackle disadvantage for all sections of the population in the metropolitan area. Lands for housing and employment are zoned throughout the plan area to provide a wide range of opportunities for housebuilding, including much-needed social housing, which we have touched on, and job creation. <BR /> <BR />The plan resists the spread of commercial uses into areas of city and town centres, which have a useful longer-term residential life.”
“I will work with them and the Department for Social Development on how we can supply more land for much-needed social housing, not only in west Belfast but right across the plan area.”
“I thank Mr McCann for his question. He is well aware of my commitment to the provision of social housing. The providers of social housing, be it the Housing Executive or the housing associations, have all been keen to see this plan adopted for the sake of the certainty that it will provide for them. Personally, I would like to see more land dedicated to the provision of social housing within the plan. The fact that there is more land designated for general housing, however, does not mean that it cannot accommodate social housing; often, it will become available for social housing. The land that I spoke about as designated for social housing is specifically and solely for the development of social housing in the future. I have spoken with the housing associations and the Housing Executive.”
“Any legal challenge may cause delay, if a judge or our courts decide that I have been wrong in the adoption of this. As I have said, the Department and I will defend any such case robustly. <BR /> <BR />As I outlined in my statement, I have not refused to bring this to the Executive; I have brought it to the Executive repeatedly. However, the authority to adopt BMAP is vested by statute, under article 8 of the Planning (NI) Order 1991, in the Department of the Environment acting under my direction and control. Nothing in the ministerial code alters that position. As Minister of the Environment, authority to take the decision on whether to adopt BMAP rests with me. The decision to adopt the plan was one that I did not take lightly, and it was reached only after very careful consideration.”
“I thank Mrs Cameron for her question. As I have stated, the plan has now been adopted. There is no further delay.”
“<BR /> <BR />On the issue of Newry and Strabane; when I approved planning applications for mixed-use developments, other considerations were taken into account. Those were mixed-use developments, albeit with major retail elements. The fact is that, when I am looking at an area plan, I cannot adopt it or not adopt it on the basis of an application that does not exist. Therefore, I have proceeded with the adoption of the plan.”
“However, unless and until the courts rule on the merits of any potential challenge to the adoption of the plan, the plan remains valid. <BR /> <BR />The adoption of BMAP is about creating certainty for a significant portion of the area and population of the North. I believe that it would be perverse to seek to reintroduce uncertainty for such a significant proportion of our community by attempting to challenge adoption of the entire plan on the basis of concerns about the future potential development of a single shopping centre in the area. However, if any such challenge were to emerge, the Department would defend its position and decision robustly in the courts. I am sure that no Executive Minister would condone the waste of public money on a protracted legal battle at any time, let alone at this time of huge budgetary pressures.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank Ms Lo, the Chairperson of the Environment Committee, for her questions, and, indeed, her recognition of my frustration. However, I must say that the frustration faced by me, and other Ministers before me, is nothing compared to the frustration that has been experienced by potential developers, communities and social housing providers over the past years at the fact that the plan had not reached this stage. <BR /> <BR />The current position is that the plan has lawfully been adopted by my Department, acting under my direction and control. Any decision made by my Department, or any other Department for that matter, may be subject to review by the courts.”
“The plan and adoption statement will be available for viewing on the Department's website, and copies will be available for inspection in local council offices within the plan area.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have a clear ministerial responsibility to provide the certainty for communities and businesses that can be achieved only through the final adoption of the plan. The plan is the primary mechanism to reconcile any potential conflict between the need for development and the need to protect local communities and our environment. In advance of the transfer of planning powers to local government, it would be remiss of me not to provide to local government that level of certainty for everyone who will be involved in and affected by the future economic and social development of this significant part of the region. I have therefore authorised and directed my Department to adopt the plan, which will become operative tomorrow morning.”
“<BR /> <BR />It was clear that the only issue that was raised about a plan that covers a very substantial part of the area and population of Northern Ireland related to the bulky goods restriction on the further expansion of the Sprucefield site near Lisburn. I have repeatedly explained my rationale on the matter and given it the fullest consideration. I remain of the view that the approach is the right one for the plan area as a whole, which is the perspective that I must adopt in making judgements on such matters. I do not believe that it is reasonable that differing views on that one issue should continue to delay the adoption of a plan that is necessary to attract investment, create jobs, secure economic growth and support local communities in this significant part of the North.”
“I circulated Executive papers and associated comprehensive documentation on 13 December 2013, 17 December 2013 and 6 March 2014. I had requested that successive versions of the Executive paper be tabled at meetings on 16 January, 13 February and 27 February 2014. I then invoked the three-meeting protocol so that the paper would be tabled for decision at the Executive meeting on 6 March 2014. <BR /> <BR />At that Executive meeting, it was agreed that I would chair a subgroup to examine the BMAP issues. That subgroup met on 6 May. Following that, I circulated a further version of the Executive paper, dated 1 July, requesting that it be tabled on 8 July.”
“Landowners have been frustrated by the uncertainty that has been experienced in the absence of an adopted plan. Many housebuilders who have been supported by their banks through the most severe recession are now under considerable pressure to deliver on sites and to recover significant sums invested in the BMAP process. Local communities are also frustrated by the lack of certainty regarding development proposals in their area. <BR /> <BR />Since October 2013, when the Department received from DRD the certificate of general conformity with the regional development strategy (RDS), all statutory and procedural requirements necessary to allow for the adoption of the plan were complete. Since then, I have engaged fully with the Executive on the matter.”
“Since taking up office, I have received many letters from various organisations expressing concern over the continued delay in the adoption of BMAP. Many in the construction sector see the adoption of BMAP as critical to the recovery of their sector and believe that their workforce can be sustained only by a continuous supply of planning approvals.”
“The coastline is protected through the designation of a coastal policy area and is complemented by the designation of an urban waterfront in Bangor to promote the marina complex and its surroundings, encouraging a vibrant and attractive waterfront. <BR /> <BR />Mr Deputy Speaker, I am conscious that we are fast approaching Question Time. I have another couple of pages to go, but, with your permission, I will wait until after Question Time to continue.”
“<BR /> <BR />The plan proposals for Newtownabbey enhance recreation and maritime pursuits and promote the major employment, retail, education and residential centres within the borough. Ballyclare town centre is promoted as a focus for retailing and offices, and district centres are identified at Northcott and the Abbey Centre. Major transport proposals include the Ballyclare relief road. <BR /> <BR />The plan proposals for North Down aim to enhance the status of North Down as an important tourism destination and facilitate the rapid economic and suburban growth that the area has been experiencing whilst protecting and enhancing the natural heritage aspects.”
“Key designations include 181 hectares of land zoned for housing, including land for the provision of social housing, and 151 hectares of additional land zoned for employment or industry. <BR /> <BR />The plan proposals for Castlereagh include the promotion of major recreational facilities. Key designations include 254 hectares of land zoned for housing and 93 hectares of additional land zoned for employment or industry, with a major employment location at Purdysburn/Newtownbreda. Carryduff town is also promoted as a focus for retailing and offices through the identification of a town centre boundary. A district centre is identified at Forestside and a local centre at Dundonald to complement the existing retail facilities.”
“<BR /> <BR />The plan recognises the development potential of the Lisburn City Council area and aims to facilitate expansion and economic growth, with a focus on locus and Lisburn’s favourable location along key transport routes. Key designations include the primary retail core, promoting city centre living and creating 24-hour vitality through protected city centre housing areas. As previously referred to, the plan sets out the complementary role of Sprucefield shopping centre and designates a district centre at Dairy Farm and a local centre at Dunmurry. <BR /> <BR />The plan proposals for Carrickfergus aim to improve the general environment in order to strengthen the town centre and to promote the marine complex and urban waterfront.”
“A major site at the north foreshore is zoned for mixed use, comprising employment and open space of around 127 hectares. Other key employment sites include Monagh Bypass and a mixed-use site on the Crumlin Road. In the outer Belfast area, approximately 610 hectares of land are zoned for housing, including social housing. An office area is designated at Queen's University to facilitate university-related office use, and a further office node is designated at Stormont to facilitate public sector administration. <BR /> <BR />The plan facilitates the integration between transportation and land use and identifies the elements of the Belfast metropolitan transport plan that require protection through the planning process; for example, park-and-ride schemes, new railway stations or the widening of the A55 outer ring road.”
“The plan area contains 33 national or international nature conservation designations, 240 sites of local nature conservation importance and 288 local landscape policy areas. <BR /> <BR />Very briefly, I wish to take the opportunity to highlight a number of key proposals for each of the council areas covered by the plan. <BR /> <BR />The aim for Belfast, as previously referred to, is to strengthen its role as the regional capital and economic driver for the North. However, it is not only about Belfast city centre. The plan provides for a major redevelopment zoning in Titanic Quarter of circa 87 hectares, providing a unique opportunity to create a new quarter for the city on a scale unequalled in the past and unlikely to be repeated in the foreseeable future.”
“The urban environment strategy promotes new development of the highest quality, protects areas of architectural and townscape importance, and promotes healthier living environments. The plan identifies 21 conservation areas and designates 99 townscape- or village-character areas, along with a number of historic parks, gardens and demesnes. <BR /> <BR />For the natural environment, the plan includes additional designations to afford special protection to Belfast metropolitan area landscapes that are particularly sensitive because of their quality or that need particular protection because of their location and development pressure. Those areas include the Belfast metropolitan coastal areas, the Lagan Valley Regional Park, the Belfast hills and areas of high scenic value (AOHSVs).”
“<BR /> <BR />The employment strategy seeks to sustain balanced economic growth and job creation by promoting city and town centres as the main focus for retail and office functions, along with providing a generous and continuous supply of land with a balanced portfolio of sites throughout the plan area. Over 2,000 hectares of land are allocated for employment use, with four major employment locations, at Global Point, Newtownabbey; Titanic Quarter, Belfast; Purdysburn, Castlereagh; and Blaris, west Lisburn. <BR /> <BR />The plan provides proposals to safeguard those areas that may be vulnerable to development pressure or that are visually or environmentally sensitive. The plan's environmental designations acknowledge and protect the rich natural and built heritage of the area.”
“<BR /> <BR />The plan also secures an adequate supply of housing lands, with provision for an estimated 92,000 dwellings. That exceeds a six-year supply post-adoption. Of the 1,950 hectares of land zoned for housing, 103 hectares are specifically zoned for social housing. DOE has worked very closely with colleagues in DSD and the Housing Executive to address social housing needs in BMAP and also to develop regional policy for the delivery of social housing with the joint draft policy PPS 22 on affordable housing and the associated DSD housing policy.”
“I acknowledge that certain concerns exist about that issue, but my predecessor and I have previously explained in considerable detail the rationale for our approach on the matter, which again is consistent with the regional policy context to strengthen Belfast as the key economic driver for Northern Ireland, with Sprucefield playing a complementary role rather than competing with Belfast city centre. It also seeks to avoid the impact on other town and city centres in the BMAP area and beyond. In the absence of any evidence to sway me from that precautionary approach, which aligns with the Executive's endorsed approach in the RDS and the more recently published draft strategic planning policy statement (SPPS), I considered it appropriate to retain the policy.”
“It also provides a framework to strengthen the complementary roles of Lisburn city and the adjoining boroughs of Castlereagh, Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey and North Down. <BR /> <BR />In line with its key theme, the plan promotes Belfast city centre as the leading shopping centre and Lisburn city centre and the town centres of Bangor, Carrickfergus, Ballyclare, Carryduff and Holywood as the focus for additional retail capacity. That is consistent with the regional development strategy approach, which urges precaution in relation to major retailing proposals due to the adverse impact of out-of-town retailing on existing centres. <BR /> <BR />The plan retains the draft plan policy to restrict the future expansion of retailing at Sprucefield to the sale of bulky goods.”
“<BR /> <BR />The key components of the plan include supporting economic development; protecting the natural environment; promoting urban renewal; promoting equality of opportunity; enhancing quality of life; sustaining a living, working countryside; and developing an integrated, inclusive transport system <BR /> <BR />The plan's central aim is to strengthen the regional role of the metropolitan area so that it can compete successfully at European and international level. Securing the prosperity of this area is vital to the economic, environmental and social well-being of the region. In line with the regional development strategy, the plan seeks to promote the city of Belfast as the regional capital and the major focus for regional administration, commerce and employment.”
“It comprises a written statement and accompanying maps as well as detailed site designations. The written statement is divided into four parts. Part 1 sets out the background to the preparation of the plan; part 2 sets out its guiding principles and strategy; part 3 sets out the plan framework, comprising allocations, designations, policies and proposals relating to the plan area as a whole; and part 4 translates the broad policies and proposals of part 3 for each of the council areas specifically addressed in volumes 2 to 7. In assessing the totality of the plan for each council area, it is therefore necessary to refer to volume 1 and the relevant district proposals — volumes 2 to 7 — for the particular council area.”
“Article 28(6) of the Planning (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 requires the Department to send a copy of the draft plan to the Department for Regional Development to consider whether it is in conformity with the regional development strategy (RDS) — the spatial strategy of the Executive. DRD completed its assessment of the draft plan in October last year and issued a certificate confirming that the plan is, in general, in conformity with the regional development strategy 2035. That, alongside completion of a habitats regulations assessment and equality impact assessment, marked the completion of all necessary legislative and procedural requirements in advance of adoption. <BR /> <BR />The plan is a substantial publication comprising seven volumes of material and runs to 900 A4 pages, plus 30 larger maps.”
“Full details of my Department's response to the commission's recommendations are set out in the Belfast metropolitan area plan adoption statement and its appendices.”
“The statutory period for objections to the plan amendment expired on 11 April 2006. <BR /> <BR />Following receipt of a substantial number of representations, the Department requested the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) to hold a public inquiry into the objections received and to report to the Department on the inquiry. The inquiry opened on 16 April 2007 and was formally closed by the PAC on 1 May 2008. The PAC submitted its report to the Department in stages between January 2009 and January 2012. Its recommendations have been fully considered by the Department. In order to ensure full transparency of process, the Department published all the Planning Appeals Commission reports on the draft plan in June 2012.”
“<BR /> <BR />During that initial consultation period, a series of 10 information meetings and 27 consultation meetings were held throughout the plan area. Voluntary and community groups were engaged, and over 1,500 people attended the public meetings and focus groups. Overall, that consultation process reflected a broad cross section of the people living in the plan area. A report presenting a collation of the views expressed during the consultation process was published in April 2003. The Department published the draft Belfast metropolitan area plan on 30 November 2004, and the statutory period for objections to the draft plan expired on 25 January 2005. In order to reflect changes in the planning context and to address a number of issues that were identified in the draft plan, the Department published a plan amendment in February 2006.”
“That recognised the extent of the geographical area covered by the plan and its inherent significance to the economic and social development of the region as a whole. <BR /> <BR />Throughout that initial preparation process, councils informed and helped shape the draft plan through a plan political group, which was chaired by the then Environment Minister and comprised representatives of the six councils that made up the plan area. There was ongoing consultation with individual councils at all stages of the plan preparation process. <BR /> <BR />In December 2001, the Belfast metropolitan area plan issues paper was published. That sought to stimulate a wide-ranging debate on issues likely to influence the shape of future development in the plan area and to encourage feedback from a wide range of interests.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Belfast metropolitan area plan is a development plan prepared under the provisions of Part III of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 by the Department of the Environment. The process that must be followed by the DOE in preparing a development plan is specified in statute. <BR /> <BR />The preparation of, and consultation on, BMAP has followed a protracted process over the past decade, spanning periods of devolution and direct rule. Preparation of the plan was formally initiated in January 2001. During the initial preparation period for the plan, the DOE engaged in the most extensive consultation exercise ever undertaken for a development plan in Northern Ireland.”
“The plan area, which is approximately 960 square kilometres, has a population of 671,559 — approximately 37% of the total population of the North — and is key to securing the economic growth of the region. It also covers areas of social deprivation with vulnerable communities, some of whom feel that they have been left behind. <BR /> <BR />A development plan drawn up for a designated geographical area provides a framework for the determination of planning applications by the designated statutory planning authority. Currently, that is the DOE, and, in future, it will also be the new councils. The planning authority must have regard for the development plan when determining a planning application insofar as it is material to the application, as well as all other material considerations.”
“<BR /> <BR />I authorised the adoption last September of the Banbridge/Newry and Mourne area plan, and work is continuing on the northern area plan. The completion of the three area plans will provide an up-to-date, fit-for-purpose planning regime and the stability required before next April, when councils will become responsible for the future preparation of their own local development plans. <BR /> <BR />Adoption of this plan represents a sound foundation for decision-making affecting a significant percentage of the population and land area of the North. BMAP covers the council areas of Belfast, Lisburn, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Newtownabbey and North Down.”
“As the House is aware, I have authorised my Department to adopt the Belfast metropolitan area plan (BMAP) which will become operative on 9 September 2014. The adoption order was signed and sealed on 3 September 2014. <BR /> <BR />Since I took over as Minister of the Environment, with responsibility for planning, one of my key priorities has been to ensure that my Department concludes work on BMAP and other development plans. BMAP is necessary to provide the essential planning framework to guide development decisions in the Belfast metropolitan area and to provide certainty and confidence for those wishing to invest in the development of the area. Finalising BMAP is crucial not only for the six district council areas concerned but for the economy of the North.”