Earlier in the year we provided news of the plans for a new planning portal operating with 10 of the 11 regional councils in NI.

Launched by the Department of Infrastructure on 5 December 2022, the new portal it is claimed, will provide a modern streamlined service making it easier for users to engage with the planning process by submitting and reviewing applications online, reporting breaches of planning control and submitting requests for regional planning applications.

The ability to submit planning applications online will help the system by putting online and paperless submissions at the heart of the business model. It is hoped that the planning process will be more accessible for customers as well as supporting sustainable development across Northern Ireland.

Replacing the Northern Ireland Planning Portal (NIPP)

The new portal was funded by the Department for Infrastructure and 10 councils and replaces the existing Northern Ireland Planning Portal (NIPP) which had reached the end of its operational life.

With over 12,000 planning applications submitted each year this is the largest joint IT project between central and local government to date in Northern Ireland.

How can I submit a planning application?

Anyone wishing to submit a planning application or track or comment on an application will need to create a new user account when using the system for the first time, including those who currently hold a Public Access account.

More details on the service can be found at on the Government’s website.

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Authors

Gavin McGuire

Gavin McGuire

Director, FMB Northern Ireland, Federation of Master Builders