DOE Planning Win UK Award 24 February 2012
DOE Planning win prestigious UK Award
DOE Planning today
won the President’s award at the Royal Town Planning Institute Awards annual UK
ceremony in London.
This is a very
special award, not always presented each year, and recognises the unique
contribution planners in Northern Ireland have delivered, often in very trying
circumstances.
Planning Minister,
Alex Attwood, welcoming the award said: “This is recognition for DOE
Planning to be honoured by the President of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
The Special Award recognises the many hard working professional and
administrative staff for their contribution to planning achievement over the
past twenty years. As a reforming Minister, I believe planning can be radically
reshaped and made fitter for purpose. There are issues to be addressed and
there are achievements that rightly deserve recognition. This award does so.
“This comes on top of
the award from the Irish Planning Institute in Dublin last week for the Peace
Bridge and Ebrington and is a platform from which we can build going forward to
the transfer of planning to local councils.
The Minister added:
“We need to deliver improved public services and make sure that planning makes
a real difference to the physical, social and economic development of NI while
protecting the best of the built and natural heritage. I made a significant
announcement about Runkerry earlier this week and will continue to work with my
officials to make the north a better place to live work and invest.”
Speaking at the
ceremony in London, the RTPI President for 2011 Richard Sommers said: “Northern
Ireland’s planners continued to deliver sound planning decisions and bring
forward plans and policies during the political turmoil of “the troubles”.
Since then, an upsurge in development proposals and then a sudden drop in
activity put great pressures on the planning service. Local government
reorganisation and a major programme of legislative reform added further
challenges. Northern Ireland Planning is to be commended for its commitment to
high standards of professionalism, continuing professional development and
consistent support for staff who were redeployed to other departments during
this challenging period.”
The award was
accepted by Anne Garvey, Head of DOE Planning, who is a member of the RTPI and
who has worked in Planning in the DOE for over 30 years.
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