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Introduction
The requirement to prepare Development Plans and operate
a Development Control system is established by law under
the Planning Northern Ireland) Order 1991, which
corresponds to similar legislation in Great Britain and
the European Community.
The Regional Physical Development Strategy 1975-95
established the Department's approach to development
throughout Northern Ireland, including the rural area.
It is appropriate to review that approach in the light
of changing circumstances and the new challenges facing
town and country - in particular the continuing change
in the rural economy, with its implications for rural
communities and the increasing pressures upon our
environment and countryside.
The Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland covers all of the
towns, villages and countryside of Northern Ireland outside Belfast
(and adjoining built up areas) and Londonderry. It provides a
comprehensive framework for the preparation of development plans for
19 individual District Council areas across the region. The Strategy
establishes the objectives and the policies for land use and
development appropriate to the particular circumstances of Northern
Ireland and which need to be considered on a scale wider than the
individual District Council Area. It provides a basis for
coordinating decisions in both the public and the private sectors
and sets out regional policies for the control of development, to
ensure a consistent approach to rural planning matters.
The Strategy takes account of the Government's approach to the
environment set out in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance".
This is based on a set of principles, including sound stewardship of
the nation's heritage and the creation of conditions for a healthy
and growing economy. The recent publication by the Department of the
Environment and the Department of Economic Development, entitled
"Growing a Green Economy", amplifies some of these principles in the
context of the environment and economy of Northern Ireland.
In producing the Strategy the Department has sought to bring the main
planning issues before the public. The Department is grateful for
the contribution of District Councils, other public bodies, rural
communities, interest groups, Members of Parliament and individuals
to the wide-ranging debate. It acknowledges the
specific help provided by the Rural Development Council, the Rural
Community Network and Community Technical Aid in the consultation
process. This debate and the many comments received have greatly
assisted and significantly influenced the Department in the
preparation of the Strategy.
The document is in four main parts:
Part One - Context
This describes the social, economic and planning background to the
Strategy and summarises the submissions made to the Department in
response to the consultation process. From this the main planning
issues are identified.
Part Two - The Strategy
This sets out the Department's principal planning objectives and
strategic policies for the rural area.
Part Three - Regional Planning Policies
This sets out regional development control policies under a series
of topic headings. Where appropriate, detailed planning practice is
provided explaining how the policies will be applied.
Part Four - Implementation
This sets out how the Strategy will be implemented and the
procedures for monitoring, evaluation and review. The Department may
in due course produce, after public consultation, further policy
statements on regional planning issues.
The Strategy is supported by a section on key statistics and other
appendices.
With the publication of the Planning Strategy the following policy
documents are withdrawn:
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The Regional Physical Development Strategy 1975-1995
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The Policy for the Control of Development in Rural Areas 1978
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The Policy for the Control of Development in Rural Areas - Practice
Notes 1979
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Planning - Development Control: Statement by David Mitchell MP,
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 1981.
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Location, Siting and Design in Rural Areas 1987
The Department may in due course produce, after public consultation,
further policy statements on regional planning issues.
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