Banbridge / Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015
Introduction: Regional Development Strategy

The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) for Northern Ireland 2025 entitled "Shaping Our Future", was approved by the Assembly in September 2001. This establishes a strategic spatial planning framework for Northern Ireland that will guide physical development within the region until 2025. This framework provides the strategic context for the preparation of development plans.

An important element of the RDS is, to ensure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come, by seeking to meet the objectives of sustainable development.

The RDS contains a Spatial Development Strategy which, aims to provide a strategic focus. This will guide future development in order to provide a balanced and equitable pattern of development across the Region. In the context of the RDS, the Plan Area lies within Rural Northern Ireland.

The overall aim of the RDS for Rural Northern Ireland is to develop an attractive and prosperous rural area, based on a balanced and integrated approach to the development of town, village and countryside, contributing to the overall well-being of the Region as a whole. This is to be achieved by action on a series of Strategic Objectives and Supporting Planning Guidelines.

The Planning (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 requires the Plan to be in general conformity with the RDS.