Derry City Council has been part of a pilot scheme to speed up the planning process which some say will be a great boost to the economy.

The initiative which allows straightforward planning applications in the council area to be processed in just 21 working days.

SDLP Colr. Michael Coyle said, "I have been in contact with my colleagues in Derry, who were part of the pilot scheme and they have told me that to date the scheme has worked well.

The streamlining will only affect those planning applications of a non-contentious nature, which have no objections."

Colr. Michael Carten added," At present a simple planning application must wait to come before Limavady Council's planning committee and then back to the planning department before it can be issued as a planning approval. This new streamline process will reduce the time for approvals of straightforward planning applications."

Ald. Gerry Mullan said, "The planners will still consult with councillors but this will be on a weekly basis rather than the monthly time scale as is used at present. These speedy decisions should provide greater opportunities for those in the construction industry to provide a better service to their customers."

The three councillors explained examples of the new streamline applications could be extensions and alterations to dwellings, domestic garages and garden sheds, advertisement and directional signs, alterations to shop fronts, commercial businesses and industrial premises.

"This would give an opportunity for those in the construction industry to plan their work more efficiently," they added.