Friends of the Earth (Northern Ireland) launched their new guide today, 'Planning for the Environment in Northern Ireland'. The action guide (which can be found online here) aims to demystify the planning system and provide campaigners and people in local communities with the knowledge and confidence to participate in the planning system. The guide not only outlines how to get involved in planning but it also explains planning legislation and the more recent reforms.

To compliment the guide a training event will be held on Saturday 10 June in Belfast. The training event is ideally suited for anyone involved in community campaigns or concerned about issues such as: development that destroys wildlife; unsympathetic coastal development; unfettered development in conservation areas; or bungalow blight in the countryside.

Deborah McLaughlin of Friends of the Earth explained, "Participants will find out how the planning system works and discover ways to use it to their advantage. They will also learn how to write an objection letter, how to get involved in their area plans, learn about tree preservation orders and obtain practical tips for shaping their community."