The Department for Infrastructure has opened a public consultation on proposed changes to how planning applications are handled in Northern Ireland. The consultation will run for eight weeks and close at 5pm on 9 October 2026.

The proposals form part of the Planning Improvement Programme, which the Department is delivering with local government and other partners to improve the performance and delivery of the planning system. They include revisions and changes to the Classes and Thresholds in the Schedule to the Planning (Development Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.

Infrastructure Minister Kimmins said planning matters affect everyone and the Department continually seeks opportunities to make positive changes to legislation to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the planning system. Kimmins stated that the consultation, launched as part of the review of the Development Management Regulations, proposes changes to development classes and thresholds. The aim is to ensure the classes and thresholds reflect current and emerging development trends and support more efficient processing of different types of development proposals within the planning system.

Kimmins encouraged everyone with an interest in planning matters to respond. The Department said it welcomes views from all interested parties. Consultation documents are available from the Department.