As a result of this backlog families who were hoping to build their new homes now find themselves living with other family members because their previous homes have been sold. 

October 9th 2026

Mr Pat McGreevy Workers Party Rep for South Down is calling for a radical response to the Planning situation in Northern Ireland citing the fact that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s failure to deliver within the scheduled timeline required by statute.

He added it would seem the planning department has ground to a halt. The current waiting time for new planning applications is sixty-eight weeks leaving Newry Mourne and Down Council with the worst record in Northern Ireland. Given the enormous backlog all new applications will have to wait for at least sixteen months before they are even looked at.

Mr McGreevy continued, "I have been approached by ratepayers who are suffering the consequences of this backlog especially families who were hoping to build their new homes inline with the statutory guidelines and now find themselves living with other family members because their previous homes have been sold. The Workers Party say these are not isolated incidents, but the consequences of unforgivable delays and urgent action is now required.

"One family concerned informed me it could be another two years before they are in their new home, and meanwhile they are living in overcrowded conditions through no fault of their own. This unacceptable delay in the planning process not only affects individual families but businesses and workers. Those who work for construction companies are living hand to mouth as their employers are having to work one project at a time with little potential for forward planning because the planning process is not fit for purpose.

"The knock-on effect on the local economy has become clear as many retailers and businesses traditionally depend on the income generated by the building trade. Across Newry and Mourne council elected representatives acknowledge that there is a major problem, but they seem unable or unwilling to find a solution and constantly meeting in private session is not inspiring confidence in their ability to tackle the problem."

Mr McGreevy went to say that ratepayers are now saying the benefits of the earlier regional system were much better as there was more flexibility and planners could have access to more technology giving them the opportunity to evaluate the volume of applications against existing regional staff complements and skill mix without having to move from their existing locations. 

He concluded, "Urgent solutions are needed and Newry Mourne and Down Council must now publicly offer solutions to a problem that is affecting ratepayers on every level of their daily lives. No more excuses or confidentiality we need open and transparent communication on what is needed to solve the problem."