Episode
Northern Ireland Planning System Insights
- Podcast
- IPI Planners Podcast
- Published
- Jun 1, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2779
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://share.transistor.fm/s/ab063ff5
Actions
POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/ipi-planners-podcast-7283718/episodes/northern-ireland-planning-system-insights/transcription-requests
Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/ipi-planners-podcast-7283718/northern-ireland-planning-system-insights.md
Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.
Summary
The planning system is often perceived as complex and adversarial, presenting barriers to development and public satisfaction. Success requires overcoming these challenges by embedding continuous improvement and promoting a culture where planners act as facilitators, not barriers. This episode explores the Department for Infrastructure’s (DFI) central role in setting strategic direction and its priorities, including the Planning Improvement Programme and the complex timeline for Local Development Plans. We discuss the increasing legislative complexity, resourcing, and the potential for mutual learning through cross-border collaboration. Host Sean O'Leary is joined by Rosemary Daly, Northern Ireland’s Chief Planner, and Philip McGowan, Joint Head of Regional Planning Policy with the Department for Infrastructure. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Planning is a cognitive, creative process DFI's central leadership role explained Improving efficiency via the planning programme Complexity challenges and judicial process Cross-border professional learning and growth QUOTES Good planning is fundamentally a cognitive discipline before it becomes a technical one. - Philip McGowan The thing that really attracts me to planning is there is something for everyone. - Rosemary Daly I see planning, especially policy planning, as a creative, deep thinking cognitive process. - Philip McGowan The big takeaway for me is the more we work together, the better we will achieve in the world of planning. - Rosemary Daly GUEST DETAILS Rosemary Daly is Chief Planner and Director of Regional Planning, Governance, and Legislation at the Department for Infrastructure (DFI). She has almost thirty years of planning experience, including private consultancy and eighteen years as a commissioner at the Planned Appea…