Hierarchy of Planning Documents

Development Plans

A-Z Index of Development Plans
A-Z Index of Development Plans by Local Government District

Development Plans may be in the form of area plans, local plans or subject plans. They apply the regional policies of the Department at the appropriate local level. Development Plans inform the general public, statutory authorities, developers and other interested bodies of the policy framework and land use proposals that will guide development decisions within their local area. All Development Plans are now required to be in general conformity with the Regional Development Strategy.

Role of Development Plans         

Development Plans provide an essential framework for guiding investment by public, private and community sectors and help harness additional resources through collaboration in tackling problems. They also

• provide confidence for those wishing to develop and those affected by development proposals;
  
• establish a framework for positive co-ordination of public policies in joined-up government at both regional and local levels;
  
• provide an effective land supply phased and allocated to meet the full range of needs to support the life of the local community and social and economic progress; and
  
• establish a process for involvement and ownership by local communities wishing to influence the future development of their area.

The Department will monitor existing plans and assess the need for new or altered plans. The programme of plan preparation is kept under review.

Planning Policy Statements

Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) set out policies on land use and other planning matters and apply to the whole of Northern Ireland. They are gradually replacing the policy provisions of the Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland.

Their contents are taken into account in the preparation of Development Plans and are also material to decisions on individual planning applications.

Supplementary Planning Guidance

The Department also prepares non-statutory planning guidance to supplement, elucidate and exemplify its policy documents and Development Plans. This can take the form of design guides such as the Creating Places guide for residential development or guides prepared for Conservation Areas. It also includes a set of Development Control Advice Notes that explain the criteria and technical standards that the Department considers when dealing with specific categories or particular aspects of development.