Northern Ireland Planning Authority of the Year

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Planning Team was recently awarded the Northern Ireland Planning Authority of the Year.

The Royal Town Planning Institute Awards, which took place in Riddell Hall, Belfast, recognise the positive contribution planning professionals make in the communities they serve.  For the Planning Authority of the Year Award specifically, the Team is assessed on services provided, projects undertaken, challenges faced, ability to work in a challenging and complex stakeholder environment and how satisfied clients, applicants and partners are with the service.

Speaking about the achievement, Planning Committee Chair, Councillor Tommy Maguire praised the team stating:

“I am delighted that our Planning Team has been awarded the Planning Authority of the Year in the North of Ireland at the recent Royal Town Planning Institute Awards.

This is testament to the excellent work by the Team to provide a quality service and experience for our residents.”

The Council’s Planning Team consists of around 40 staff who deliver a number of key functions including local plan making, development management and enforcement.

Planning in the Council is a key enabler and delivers a wide range of public interest outcomes for our communities.  It aims to meet the needs of all the people of the district by creating sustainable communities through housing, job creation, enterprise promotion, tourism support, provision of services and community facilities within the context of a healthy, well planned natural and built environment.

Planning helps to shape, create and maintain quality places with enhanced connectivity within the district and helps deliver on the Council’s commitment to achieving a Net Zero District by 2042.

The team will now go on to represent Northern Ireland at the National Awards in November 2024.