Banbridge Newry & Mourne Plan 2015

Preamble

The Banbridge/Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015 is a development plan being prepared under the provisions of Part III of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 by the Planning Service, an Agency within the Department of the Environment.

Notice was given to Banbridge District Council on 21 February 2000 and to Newry and Mourne District Council on 29 February 2000, that the Department intended to prepare a new development plan to cover the two council areas for the period up to 2015. A Notice of Intention to prepare the Plan was published in the local and regional press in the week beginning 17 April 2000. Comments were invited from the public and interested parties in respect of the issues to be addressed in the Plan. Consultations were also carried out with Banbridge and Newry and Mourne District Councils, community groups, Government Departments and Agencies, statutory undertakers and other appropriate bodies.

The Department appointed Community Technical Aid (CTA) to undertake an extensive community and public consultation exercise on the Issues Paper. The first stage of CTA's work preceded publication of the Issues Paper. That work involved identification of community, voluntary and environmental groups throughout the Plan Area likely to have an interest in the preparation of the Plan. Contact was made by CTA with 680 groups who were informed of the process and encouraged to participate. CTA held initial briefings with key umbrella groups in the area which were given the opportunity to express their views on issues of importance to the Plan. CTA then provided the results of this first stage exercise to the Department in a report dated 20 December 2000.

The Department published the Issues Paper for the Banbridge / Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015 in March 2001. A public notice was placed in the regional and local newspapers during the two weeks beginning 19 March 2001. Copies of the Issues Paper were made available free of charge from the Divisional Planning Office, from the offices of the two District Councils and local libraries.

During May and September 2001, CTA facilitated twelve public meetings at various locations across the Plan Area to conclude the initial community consultation process. Planning Service staff were in attendance at each meeting to assist and to answer questions.

CTA provided reports to the Department on 29 June 2001 and 5 October 2001 on the implementation of, and their conclusions on, the community consultation exercise which they had facilitated. As a result of this exercise, written submissions from 10 community, voluntary and environmental groups, and responses from over 200 people who had attended the public meetings were received. Their findings are included as part of the Technical Supplement on Public Participation.

As a result of the two stages of public consultation, approximately 1,200 representations have been received. All of these comments and representations have been considered by the Department in the preparation of the Draft Plan.

The Department is now publishing the Banbridge/Newry and Mourne Draft Area Plan 2015 consisting of a Written Statement and accompanying maps.

In the case of any contradiction between the Written Statement and any other document forming part of the Draft Plan, the provisions of the Written Statement will prevail.

The Plan Strategy, allocations, designations, policies, proposals and zonings comprise, and are hereafter also referred to collectively as the Plan Proposals.

The Plan is being published in 3 Volumes: -

• Volume 1 - Plan Strategy and Framework
• Volume 2 - Banbridge District Proposals
• Volume 3 - Newry and Mourne District Proposals

Volume 1 sets out the background to the preparation of the Draft Plan; defines it's Aim, Objectives and Plan Strategy; and, with reference to the Regional Policy Context, sets out the Strategic Plan Framework comprising allocations, policies and designations relating to the Plan Area as a whole.

Volumes 2 and 3 translate the broad allocations, policies and designations in Volume 1 into site specific zonings, designations and proposals for Banbridge and Newry and Mourne Council Areas respectively.

To understand the totality of the Plan Proposals for each Council area, it is therefore necessary to refer to the Plan Strategy and Framework (Volume 1) and the relevant District Proposals.

The accompanying maps comprise:

• Overview Map - this map illustrates the Plan Area boundary and strategic designations.
• Environmental Designations Map -this map illustrates, by use of symbols, the location of environmental designations within the Plan Area for information only. The exact boundary of each designation can be obtained from Environment and Heritage Service, (DOE), Commonwealth House, 35 Castle Street, Belfast, BT1 1GU,
• Countryside Maps - these maps illustrate Draft Plan designations, proposals and zonings within each District. Other designations and land uses are also shown for information only. Any use of a symbol for illustration is cross-referenced to a detailed map within the Countryside and Settlement sections of the written text.
• Settlement Maps - these maps illustrate Draft Plan designations, proposals and zonings within the settlement development limits, and may also include other designations and land uses for information only.
• Clarification Maps - these maps assist the reader where a designation is difficult to distinguish. Where provided, they prevail over other maps in matters of Plan designations, proposals and zonings. In some instances, Clarification Maps may also show non-Plan designations for information only.

All maps are reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown Copyright Reserved 2006.

Representations in support of, or objections to any of the Plan Proposals must be submitted in writing and must be received not later than 4.30pm on Tuesday 17th October 2006. Representations and objections should, where appropriate,be accompanied by an up-to-date map clearly identifying any lands to which they relate. Late objections cannot be considered.

Representations and objections should be addressed to:

Mr T Donnelly
Principal Planning Officer
Banbridge/ Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015
Divisional Planning Office
Marlborough House
Central Way
CRAIGAVON
BT64 1AD

Tel: 028 3834 1144
Fax: 028 3832 0004
E-Mail: BNMAP.2015@doeni.gov.uk

The Department will consider any representations and objections it may receive relating to the Draft Plan. The Department is required, under the provisions of Article 4a of the Planning (Development Plans)(Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004, to provide for the public notification of objections and to invite inspection of and written representations about those objections. The Department may request the Planning Appeals Commission(PAC)to hold a public examination for the purpose of considering such objections. If a public examination is held, the Department will consider the recommendations of the PAC and then decide whether to adopt the Plan in whole or in part, with or without modification. A final version of the Plan incorporating any amendments or revisions will then be published.

The Department has also prepared, and is publishing, a number of supplements to accompany the Draft Plan. These provide background and technical information that has informed the policies and proposals contained in the Draft Plan.

• The Technical Supplements deal with:
  • Population and Housing;
  • Industry;
  • Education, Health, Social and Community Facilities;
  • Public Services and Utilities;
  • Open Space, Sport and Recreation;
  • Retailing;
  • Transportation;
  • Tourism; and
  • Report on Public Participation.
• A Countryside Assessment Supplement which includes an appraisal of environmental assets, an assessment of the landscape of the Plan Area, an analysis of rural development pressure and an appraisal of each settlement in terms of its character, assets and constraints, conservation issues and settlement limit.
• A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) comprising an assessment of the probable environmental impacts of the policies and proposals in the Plan.
• An Appropriate Assessment Report containing details of the appropriate assessment carried out in respect of the Plan proposals in line with the requirements of Article 6.3 and 6.4 of the Habitats Directive.
• Equality Impact Assessment Supplement comprising an assessment of the probable equality impacts of the policies and proposals contained in the Plan.

The current statutory plans covering the Plan Area are:

• Banbridge Area Plan 1983-1998;
• Banbridge District Rural Area Subject Plan 1986-1998;
• Newry Area Plan 1984-1999;
• Mourne Area Plan Settlement Proposals 1984-1999; and
• Newry and Mourne District Rural Area Subject Plan 1986-1999.

Although these plans have passed their notional end dates, each will remain a material consideration in determining planning applications until superseded by the adoption of a successor plan.

The Draft Plan itself will constitute a material consideration in determining planning applications. Further information on the weight the Department attaches to the policies and proposals in emerging development plans is set out in the Joint Ministerial Statement of 31 January 2005 entitled "Development Plans and Implementation of the Regional Development Strategy".

The Plan Proposals constitute considerations that the Department will take into account in determining planning applications within the Plan Area. The contents of the Draft Plan must be read as a whole, as often several designations, policies and proposals may be relevant to a particular development proposal.

The Plan Proposals should not, however, be read as the only tests of acceptability for development proposals. The Plan Proposals sit alongside but do not supersede prevailing regional planning policy as set out in the Regional Development Strategy (RDS), Planning Policy Statements (PPSs), and A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland (PSRNI), except where specifically indicated in the Plan. In making its decisions, the Department will assess proposals against all planning policies and other material considerations that are relevant to it. The contents of the Draft Plan must therefore be read in conjunction with the relevant contents of regional planning policy publications, supplementary planning guidance documents and with policy publications of other Government Departments.

In bringing forward proposals for planning permission, applicants must therefore take account of the content of prevailing regional policies and policy guidance, in addition to the specific policies and proposals contained in the Draft Plan.

Nothing in the Draft Plan, (hereafter referred to as 'the Plan') should be read as a commitment that public resources will be provided for any specific project.All proposals for public expenditure are subject to economic appraisal and will also have to be considered having regard to the overall availability of resources.

Unless otherwise stated, all references in the Plan to the 'Department' refer to the Department of the Environment.

Strategic Environmental Assessment

European Directive 2001/42/EC requires SEA of a wide range of plans and programmes, including development plans. The objective of the 'SEA Directive' is to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans with a view to promoting sustainable development.

SEA includes:

• preparation of an Environmental Report on the likely significant effects of the Draft Plan;
• consulting on the Draft Plan and the accompanying Environmental Report;
• consideration of the Environmental Report and the results of consultation; and
• preparation of a statement to show how the Environmental Report and results of consultation have been taken into account in the adoption of the Plan.

The Environmental Report of the SEA is published for consultation along with the Plan.

Appropriate Assessment

Article 6 of the European Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC states that any plan or project likely to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site shall be subject to appropriate assessment of it's implications for the site in view of the site's conservation objectives. Accordingly, the Plan proposals have been assessed as to their likely effects on the following Natura 2000 sites:

• Carlingford Lough SPA;
• Carlingford Lough SPA (ROI);
• Lough Neagh and Lough Beg SPA;
• Derryleckagh SAC;
• Eastern Mournes SAC;
• Murlough SAC;
• Rostrevor Wood SAC; and
• Slieve Gullion SAC.

An Appropriate Assessment Report is published along with the Plan.

Equality of Opportunity

The Northern Ireland Act 1998, Section 75 has placed the following statutory requirement on each public authority:

1. To carry out its functions with due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity:

1. Between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation;
2. Between men and women generally;
3. Between persons with a disability and persons without; and
4. Between persons with dependants and persons without.

2. Without prejudice to its obligation under subsection 1, a public authority shall, in carrying out its functions relating to Northern Ireland, have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group.

The Department has sought to ensure that the Plan does not have the effect of discriminating against individuals or groups of people who fall within these categories. The Equality Impact Assessment of the policies and proposals contained in the Plan has considered any potentially adverse effects on these groups.

The Anti-Poverty Strategy

The Department is committed to implementing The Anti-Poverty Strategy, which involves tackling social need and social exclusion by targeting efforts and available resources towards people, groups and areas objectively defined as being in social need. This requires the application of objective measures to identify where deprivation occurs, and then targeting existing and new spending more effectively to address the needs of the most deprived peoples and areas.

Planning Service is not a major spending Agency. However, one of the main functions of a development plan is to facilitate development and create a land use framework that will allow investment to take place. The Plan seeks to apply The Anti-Poverty Strategy through specific objectives, policies and proposals.

Review of Public Administration

The Review of Public Administration (RPA) is a far-reaching review of the arrangements for the delivery of public services in Northern Ireland. It is proposed that in future there will be a two-tier model within which all public services in Northern Ireland will operate. The regional tier, which largely comprises central government departments, will concentrate mainly on policy development, strategic planning and setting and monitoring standards. The sub-regional tier, that will have local government at its core, will be the main vehicle for delivery of local public services. It is proposed that there will be seven local authorities with new or enhanced responsibilities including responsibility for the preparation of development plans, development control and enforcement functions. There will also be a single strategic regional health authority and a single education authority to replace the current area boards.

Rural Proofing

The Plan has been prepared in line with "A Guide to Rural Proofing - considering the needs of rural communities" produced by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). Rural proofing ensures that the needs and special considerations of rural communities and areas are routinely and objectively considered as part of the policy development process.

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