This policy has been superseded by:
PPS4-Industrial Development 178KB. This is currently under review by:
Draft PPS4 (Industrial, Business & Distribution 118KB

To balance the need for and benefits of proposals for industries of an offensive or hazardous nature against potential harm to the environment.

Certain industries involve processes or materials which can result in adverse effects on adjacent land uses, such as pollution, noise, smell, fumes or dust as well as damage to the local environment.
The degree of impact can vary greatly from industry to industry. Proposals will be carefully considered to ensure the public are not subject to high risks.

In determining applications for the location of offensive or hazardous industries the Department will weigh the potential benefits of the proposal to society, the possibility of
alternative locations and the creation of employment, against the potential environmental disadvantages, possible mitigating measures, and the impact on adjacent land uses. The
submission of an Environmental Statement may be required in order to help reach a fully informed decision. Where permission is granted, conditions will be imposed in order to minimise the impact of the development on the environment.

Decisions will be based on the precautionary principle that where there is uncertainty, the protection of the environment will generally be paramount unless there are imperative reasons of
oveniding public interest.

In the case of major projects of a hazardous nature, permission is only likely to be granted in cases where the national or regional importance of the development clearly outweighs any
environmental harm. There will be an onus on developers to clearly show that all relevant factors have been taken into consideration and that the proposal represents the least damaging and most
effective solution.

While many of these potential difficulties can be controlled through separate legislation, the advice of relevant experts will be sought in the processing of planning applications which involve or have the potential to involve offensive or hazardous processes.

The storage of hazardous substances within a proposed development now requires separate consent under Article 53 of the Planning (N.I.) Order 1991. Further advice is given in the
Development Control Advice Note 12.
Where it is considered appropriate new development projects may be directed to sites which already contain development of an offensive or hazardous nature.