To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any action being taken by her Department to ensure that community input is incorporated into flood resilience planning decisions.

My Department’s Rivers Directorate provides Planning Authorities with advice on planning and flood risk matters in line with Planning Policy. This advice is to ensure that new development, where possible, is kept out of flood risk areas and does not contribute to an increase in flood risk elsewhere.

Under the ‘plan-led’ planning system, Council Planning Authorities are responsible for determining the vast majority of planning applications. Applications are determined on a case-by-case basis taking account of community representations as well as the Local Development Plan, regional strategic planning policy, the responses of statutory consultees and all other material considerations. The relevance and weight to be afforded to any material consideration, including from the local community, would be a matter for the relevant planning authority in deciding each application.

Through the work of the Regional Community Resilience Group (RCRG), which is co-chaired by my Department and local government, there continues to be engagement with 50 community groups in many areas across the North. These communities are primarily in flood risk areas, and the work of the RCRG helps them prepare for and respond to weather related emergencies. Through this community resilience work my Department seeks to provide an extra layer of support for those who may be impacted by flooding in periods of severe weather.