Latest releases
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11 releases
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Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA says the planning system is holding back growth, citing provisional statistics for April to June 2026 showing over 30% of live applications open for more than a year. He calls for a comprehensive reform programme, including mandatory…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Planning system statistics and business concerns Original release: Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Fleadh shows Belfast’s potential, now lets make pedestrianisation of city centre permanent and accessible, say Alliance reps
Alliance representatives across Belfast call on Belfast City Council, the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Communities and Translink to commission a comprehensive review of city centre pedestrianisation, building on the Fleadh Cheoil. South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl says…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Fleadh Cheoil pedestrianisation of Belfast city centre review call Original release: Fleadh shows Belfast’s potential, now lets make pedestrianisation of city centre permanent and accessible, say Alliance reps (opens in a new tab)
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Catney: Residents concerned at proposed poultry farm
SDLP Lisburn North councillor Pat Catney says residents are concerned about a proposed poultry farm for up to 32,000 hens in the Tullynacross Road area, citing traffic, smell and manure transport to Sligo. He asks who will monitor the manure transfers.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Tullynacross Road poultry farm planning application Original release: Catney: Residents concerned at proposed poultry farm (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives welcome reconsideration of Gondola project
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray and Mournes Councillor Jill Truesdale welcome the National Trust's decision not to consider a bid for land at Thomas's Quarry for the Mournes Gondola project, citing environmental damage from recent fires and economic viability concerns.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: National Trust halts Newry, Mourne and Down Council Gondola talks over Thomas's Quarry Original release: Alliance representatives welcome reconsideration of Gondola project (opens in a new tab)
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Council planning delays adding to the housing crisis, says Armstrong, following councils audit report.
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA raises concern that councils keep missing planning targets, citing a Local Government Auditor report showing 63% of major applications and around 62% of local applications exceeded statutory timescales, and urges councils to act.
Housing Local government Original release: Council planning delays adding to the housing crisis, says Armstrong, following councils audit report. (opens in a new tab)
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McReynolds calls for reform of Northern Ireland planning system
Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds calls for urgent reform of the Northern Ireland planning system, saying the latest planning statistics show record low decisions and missed processing targets, and urging streamlined Local Development Plans and statutory timeframes.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: McReynolds calls for reform of Northern Ireland planning system (opens in a new tab)
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Honeyford says it’s time for progress on electric vehicle charging for homes without a driveway
Alliance infrastructure spokesperson David Honeyford MLA calls for greater efforts to let people without a driveway charge electric vehicles, and says he has asked the Department for Infrastructure's Permanent Secretary to treat public charging points as permitted development to speed rollout.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Honeyford says it’s time for progress on electric vehicle charging for homes without a driveway (opens in a new tab)
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McReynolds welcomes NI Chamber of Commerce paper on reforms to planning system
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA welcomes a newly published paper from the Chamber of Commerce with 10 recommendations to improve planning, and calls for legislation for planning reform in a future Executive. He also backs priority for renewable energy projects to help…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Chamber of Commerce report on planning system reform Original release: McReynolds welcomes NI Chamber of Commerce paper on reforms to planning system (opens in a new tab)
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Stop the Newry Civic Centre
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland objects to the planning application for a Newry Civic and Regional Hub, saying it lacks ratepayer support, would raise taxes, harms the local economy, breaches planning policies and should be decided by the Department of Infrastructure rather than the council.
Local government Infrastructure and transport Original release: Stop the Newry Civic Centre (opens in a new tab)
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Tennyson welcomes protection of Citypark in Craigavon
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson welcomes the Court of Appeal's ruling overturning planning permission for a Southern Regional College campus at Craigavon Lakes. He calls on SRC and the council to accept public opposition and find an alternative site in the area.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Court of Appeal overturns Southern Regional College Citypark campus planning approval Original release: Tennyson welcomes protection of Citypark in Craigavon (opens in a new tab)
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McKeown expresses concern following Scottish Mutual Building incident
SDLP South Belfast Councillor Gary McKeown says masonry falling from the Scottish Mutual Building in central Belfast shows the listed structure must be protected and reopened. He calls for urgent regeneration plans and for building administrators to be told to survey it for safety quickly.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Masonry fall from Scottish Mutual Building Belfast Original release: McKeown expresses concern following Scottish Mutual Building incident (opens in a new tab)