1.The Planning Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (“the Order”) was made on 9 May 2006.
2.This Explanatory Memorandum has been prepared by the Department of the Environment (“the Department”) to assist the reader in understanding the Order. It does not form part of the Order.
3.The Order makes provision for the Department to reform and improve planning processes while also enhancing transparency and community involvement in the planning system. It also amends the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 to make planning legislation bind the Crown. Many of these provisions will reflect measures in Great Britain (GB) introduced by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c.5) which received Royal Assent on 13 May 2004.