The Minister was commenting following confirmation that DOE Planning has received a planning application for the redevelopment of Windsor Park by the Irish Football Association (Irish FA). The Irish FA has been engaged in pre-application discussions with planners and statutory consultees from within DOE and DRD Roads Service for the past eight months.
The applicant has also engaged in a programme of consultation with the local community prior to the submission of the application.
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The development involves the erection of two new stands and refurbishment of the north and east stands which will result in the comprehensive redevelopment of the ground with a capacity of 18,000 spectators with improved on site spectator facilities.
Mr Attwood said: "One of the commitments of the Programme for Government is to develop sports stadia for each of the governing bodies and this application demonstrates the ambitions of the Irish FA to modernise Windsor Park.
"Due to the significance of this applications, I asked my officials and the sporting bodies to pilot pre application community consultation for these projects.
"My officials have been involved in pre-application discussions with the Irish FA for a number of months and this application to modernise Windsor Park is the result of that process. I hope that this application will demonstrate the benefits of effective pre-application discussions in providing a timely and efficient planning application process. That said, DOE Planning will listen to all views on the application before a decision is made on the proposal.
"When I took over the environment portfolio I was keen that planning improved and that it played a key role in protecting the environment and developing our economy. A timely determination on this regionally significant project can be a testament to the progress made."
(CD)
