Published Thursday, 29 April 2010
The Union NIPSA said they fear the jobs could be lost if no alternative posts are found.
The Environment Minister, Edwin Poots told a Stormont Committee on Thursday that he wants to redeploy around 300 of his department's staff.
He said the cuts were necessary because of an £8m funding gap due to a reduction in planning application receipts.
The Royal Town Planning Institute who joined the protest said the redeployment will have a significant impact on Northern Ireland's capacity to move towards economic recovery.
"News that a third of the staff of the Northern Ireland Planning Service will be shed is a massive blow to the hardworking staff of the agency, and it is doubly disappointing that many Planning Service employees, and the RTPI, were only made aware of the plans from reports in the media," said Ann Skippers, President of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
"This comes just weeks after Minister Poots highlighted the key role that the Service plays in managing and facilitating development and economic growth in Northern Ireland.
"No distinction has been drawn between professional qualified planners and other staff - and the controversial proposals follow a NI Audit Office report showing that staff already have individual caseloads far higher than any other UK nation," she said.
Ann Skippers said she was seeking a meeting with the Environment Minister.