Planning
Planning
In 2023/24, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council remained within the standard set for two of the three statutory planning indicators.
Our internal and comparative performance is summarised below, and described in detail in the pages that follow.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council planning results (summary trend and comparative analysis)
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Indicator: The average processing time of major planning applications. Standard: Less than 30 weeks. |
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Past results |
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2019/20 42.4 weeks |
2020/21 39.2 weeks |
2021/22 34.7 weeks |
2022/23 47.6 weeks |
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2023/24 |
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Mid and East Antrim Borough Council result 67.4 weeks |
Status and trend Target not achieved. Significant decrease in performance from 2022/23. |
Northern Ireland council average 46.5 weeks |
Mid and East Antrim comparative council position 9th |
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Indicator: The average processing time of local planning applications. Standard: Less than 15 weeks. |
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Past results |
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2019/20 7.6 weeks |
2020/21 10.4 weeks |
2021/22 9.6 weeks |
2022/23 8.6 weeks |
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2023/24 |
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Mid and East Antrim Borough Council result 9.4 weeks |
Status and trend Target achieved. Slight decrease in performance from 2022/23. |
Northern Ireland council average 20.8 weeks |
Mid and East Antrim comparative council position 1st |
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Indicator: Percentage of enforcement cases concluded within 39 weeks. Standard: Greater than 70%. |
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Past results |
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2019/20 89% |
2020/21 82.6% |
2021/22 90.5% |
2022/23 91.2% |
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2023/24 |
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Mid and East Antrim Borough Council result 87.3% |
Status and trend Target achieved. Decrease in performance from 2022/23. |
Northern Ireland council average 74.2% |
Mid and East Antrim comparative council position 3rd |
Indicator: The average processing time of major planning applications.
Major planning applications comprise of significant development projects that often have substantial impacts on the environment, the community, and/or infrastructure, such as, large-scale housing estates, commercial developments, or significant alterations to existing structures.
These applications generally require detailed assessments by statutory and other bodies, and are subject to extensive scrutiny by a number of external consultees.
These include, environmental agencies (in relation to sustainability and pollution), transport authorities (who assess the impact on traffic and infrastructure), health and safety authorities (to ensure regulatory compliance), utility companies (to review capacity and the impact on existing services), and heritage bodies (to consider the impact on historical sites).
These elements are beyond the direct control of the Council, and can significantly impact application processing times.
As a Council, we work to ensure alignment with policies and community interests, and often consult with residents, community groups, and businesses, which can further complicate and extend the process. Depending on the nature of applications, specialist organisations may also be involved, for example, to address specific concerns like flood risk, wildlife conservation, or noise pollution.
In 2023/24, the average processing time of major planning applications in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council was 67.4 weeks, rising from 47.6 weeks in 2022/23, and 34.7 weeks in 2021/22. The average processing time among the 11 Northern Ireland councils during 2023/24 was 46.5 weeks.
The most recent increase in average processing times in Mid and East Antrim can be attributed to the prolonged review of an unusually complex application, which is now processed.
In 2023/24, we received 8 major planning applications, adding to a number of applications remaining from previous years. 11.1% (1 of 9) were processed within the 30-week standard, against an average of 36.8% across all councils.
Significant improvements were made in the average processing times within some council areas. Antrim and Newtownabbey experienced a reduction from 52.1 weeks in 2022/23 to 21.1 weeks in 2023/24, and Fermanagh and Omagh from 64 weeks in 2022/23 to 22.9 weeks in 2023/24, both meeting the challenging 30-week target, alongside Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon council area. That being said, one council area experienced an average processing time of 154.8 weeks, and another, 84.7 weeks.
These extended processing times may more accurately reflect the challenges of managing complex applications, than inefficiencies within council planning departments.
Meeting the 30-week standard, has been a challenge over the last five years, and we have made representations to the Department of Infrastructure to share our concerns. We are open to collaborating with them, and other stakeholders, on alternative measures that would allow for a fairer and more accurate metric for measuring success.
As we move into 2024/25, 8 applications remain decision-pending, 6 from 2023/24, and 2 from 2022/23. Of these, 4 are under review by various consultees, and cannot advance until all feedback and/or decisions are received.
The average processing time of major planning applications – Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (annual results)
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Standard |
30 weeks |
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2019/20 |
42.4 weeks |
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2020/21 |
39.2 weeks |
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2021/22 |
34.7 weeks |
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2022/23 |
47.6 weeks |
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2023/24 |
67.4 weeks |
The average processing time of major planning applications – By Northern Ireland council (annual results)
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Standard |
30 weeks |
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Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council |
2022/23 52.1 weeks |
2023/24 21.1 weeks |
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Ards and North Down Borough Council |
2022/23 104.5 weeks |
2023/24 84.7 weeks |
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Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council |
2022/23 47 weeks |
2023/24 27.6 weeks |
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Belfast City Council |
2022/23 57.2 weeks |
2023/24 64.4 weeks |
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Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council |
2022/23 46.4 weeks |
2023/24 54.2 weeks |
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Derry City and Strabane District Council |
2022/23 78 weeks |
2023/24 68.6 weeks |
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Fermanagh and Omagh District Council |
2022/23 64 weeks |
2023/24 22.9 weeks |
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Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council |
2022/23 87.2 weeks |
2023/24 56.4 weeks |
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Mid and East Antrim Borough Council |
2022/23 47.6 weeks |
2023/24 67.4 weeks |
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Mid Ulster District Council |
2022/23 68.1 weeks |
2023/24 64 weeks |
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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council |
2022/23 89 weeks |
2023/24 154.8 weeks |
Indicator: The average processing time of local planning applications.
Local planning applications comprise of smaller-scale developments or changes to properties, such as residential extensions, minor commercial changes, or alterations to existing buildings. These applications generally have a more straightforward review process.
In 2023/24, the average processing time of local planning applications in Mid and East Antrim was 9.4 weeks, significantly lower than the 15-week target. The average processing time among the 11 Northern Ireland councils was 20.8 weeks, with only 3 councils within target. Of the 11 councils, 8 experienced an increase in processing times, and 3 experienced a reduction. Despite a slight increase from 2022/23, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council ranked the top-performing council for the fifth consecutive year. Our performance sets a high standard in Northern Ireland, reflecting our commitment to the efficient and timely processing of applications.
The average processing time of local planning applications – Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (annual results)
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Standard |
30 weeks |
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2019/20 |
7.6 weeks |
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2020/21 |
10.4 weeks |
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2021/22 |
9.6 weeks |
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2022/23 |
8.6 weeks |
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2023/24 |
9.4 weeks |
The average processing time of local planning applications – By Northern Ireland council (annual results)
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Standard |
30 weeks |
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Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council |
2022/23 13.4 weeks |
2023/24 13 weeks |
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Ards and North Down Borough Council |
2022/23 19.9 weeks |
2023/24 16 weeks |
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Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council |
2022/23 21.2 weeks |
2023/24 24.6 weeks |
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Belfast City Council |
2022/23 19.8 weeks |
2023/24 20.6 weeks |
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Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council |
2022/23 21.2 weeks |
2023/24 31.4 weeks |
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Derry City and Strabane District Council |
2022/23 21 weeks |
2023/24 23.4 weeks |
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Fermanagh and Omagh District Council |
2022/23 13 weeks |
2023/24 13.2 weeks |
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Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council |
2022/23 32.7 weeks |
2023/24 42.2 weeks |
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Mid and East Antrim Borough Council |
2022/23 8.6 weeks |
2023/24 9.4 weeks |
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Mid Ulster District Council |
2022/23 21.6 weeks |
2023/24 16.1 weeks |
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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council |
2022/23 21.6 weeks |
2023/24 33.7 weeks |
Indicator: The percentage of enforcement cases concluded within 39 weeks.
This indicator seeks to maintain public confidence in the planning system by ensuring that development activities adhere to approved plans and regulations, thereby protecting community and environmental interests.
Enforcement cases typically involve addressing breaches of planning control. These may include unauthorised building works (construction or significant alterations without necessary planning permissions), change of use (of a building or land without permission, such as, converting a residential property into a commercial business), breach of conditions (failure to comply with conditions attached to granted planning permission, such as incomplete landscaping) or non-compliance with Planning Orders (failure to comply with enforcement notices or stop orders, such as continuing construction).
In 2023/24, 87.3% of enforcement cases were concluded within 39 weeks within Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, significantly higher than the 70% minimum standard, and well above the Northern Ireland council average of 74.2%. Of the regional councils, 7 achieved the target, with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council ranking third, behind Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Belfast City Council.
At the time of publishing our Self-Assessment Report for 2022/23, the Department for Infrastructure had not yet released annual data for this indicator. This data has now been published, and despite a decline from 89.5% in 2022/23, we remain within the top performing councils in the region for this indicator.
The percentage of enforcement cases concluded within 39 weeks – Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (annual results)
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Standard |
Within 39 weeks |
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2019/20 |
89% |
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2020/21 |
82.6% |
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2021/22 |
90.5% |
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2022/23 |
89.5% |
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2023/24 |
87.3% |
The percentage of enforcement cases concluded within 39 weeks – By Northern Ireland council (annual results)
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Standard |
Within 39 weeks |
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Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council |
2022/23 91.2% |
2023/24 96% |
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Ards and North Down Borough Council |
2022/23 62.9% |
2023/24 55.7% |
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Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council |
2022/23 70.6% |
2023/24 82.7% |
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Belfast City Council |
2022/23 88.8% |
2023/24 88.6% |
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Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council |
2022/23 67.7% |
2023/24 58.7% |
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Derry City and Strabane District Council |
2022/23 74.9% |
2023/24 75% |
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Fermanagh and Omagh District Council |
2022/23 74.1% |
2023/24 79.6% |
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Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council |
2022/23 80% |
2023/24 83.2% |
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Mid and East Antrim Borough Council |
2022/23 89.5% |
2023/24 87.3% |
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Mid Ulster District Council |
2022/23 46.4% |
2023/24 58.8% |
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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council |
2022/23 58.6% |
2023/24 60% |