Information Leaflet #13
A Householder’s Planning Guide for the Installation of Antennas, including Satellite Dishes
September 2006

Planning Regulations

Under the Planning (General Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 1993 (as amended), you have a general permission to install a specified number of antennas up to a specified size on property without the need for planning permission. This general permission depends on your house type and area. Your local Divisional Planning Office can give you more advice.

This guide looks at permission for:

1. houses and buildings up to 15 metres in height;
2. houses and building up to 15 metres in height in designated areas
3. buildings of 15 metres in height or more; and
4. buildings of 15 metres in height or more in designated areas.

Designated Areas

Designated areas are:

• Conservation Areas;
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs);
• Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs); and
• National Parks

These are defined within Article 2(1) of the Planning (General Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 1993 (as amended).

Listed Buildings

Some buildings are ‘listed’ because of their special historic or architectural interest. Your local Divisional Planning Office can tell you whether the building is ‘listed’. If you live in a ‘listed building’ and want to install an antenna on that building, you generally need to apply for ‘listed building consent’. This consent is different from planning permission. You need listed building consent for any antenna that affects the character or appearance of a listed building or its setting.

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