This policy has been superseded by:
PPS6-Planning,Archaeology and the Built Heritage 1157KB

To protect the special attributes of parks, gardens and estates, which are of historic interest, from inappropriate development.

Northern Ireland is rich in its legacy of historic houses situated in parkland settings and formal gardens. These estates and their boundary features make a valuable contribution to the quality and character of the local landscape whether or not the original house survives. Where open to the general public they provide an important recreational resource. It is important to protect and where possible enhance the character of these parts of our heritage.

Where appropriate historic parks and gardens will be identified in development plans.

Development in or adjacent to historic parks or gardens which is likely to have an adverse effect on:

• the quality and character of such estates or demesnes;
• formal or informal gardens;
• landscaped parkland; historic buildings and other buildings or features of character within such estates including historic boundary walls;
• and the setting of any estate, gardens, parkland or associated buildings;

Conditions restricting the scale and nature of development may be imposed on permissions in order to protect the shopping role of existing centres. Such conditions may specify, minimum or maximum store sizes and types of goods to be sold.

All proposals for new major retail developments will have to be accompanied by an assessment of the potential impact on other retailing centres and anticipated changes in traffic patterns.
Detailed calculations or forecasts of retail growth or of changes in the geographical distribution of retailing will not normally be required.

Proposals for retail development in the countryside outside the planned limits of settlements will not be acceptable. The Department considers that there is no justifiable need for any regional out-of-town shopping centres in Northern Ireland.

Within the food retailing sector the trend towards car-borne, one stop shopping has led to the development of large food based superstores. Such developments rely on the.close proximity of adequate car parking and for this reason locations within existing town centres may be
inappropriate. Favourable consideration will be given to food stores on edge-of-centre or out of centre locations provided:

• there is a clear deficiency in provision within the particular
  neighbourhood;
• the development would not undermine the convenience shopping
  function of established centres;
• they cannot be practically or appropriately accommodated within
  existing town or shopping centres
• adequate provision is made for car parking;
• the development will not lead to an unreasonable or detrimental impact
  on local amenity, traffic movements or road safety; and
• there is adequate provision for both public and private transport.