Northern Ireland Planning Service

Banbridge / Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015
Strategic Plan Framework: Special Countryside Policy Areas

PSRNI states at Policy SP 12 that, in some CPAs, a special policy will apply to protect unique landscapes and no development will be acceptable unless, exceptionally, it is required in the wider public interest. These are referred to as Special Countryside Policy Areas (SCPAs)
Policy COU 1 Special Countryside Policy Areas
Within Special Countryside Policy Areas, planning permission will only be granted to development proposals which are:
  • of such national or regional importance as to outweigh any potential detrimental impact on the upland environment; or
  • for the consolidation of existing development providing it is in character and scale, does not threaten any nature conservation or built heritage interest and can be integrated with the landscape.
The Department considers that the existing SCPAs designated under the Newry and Mourne District Rural Area Subject Plan 1986-1999 and the Banbridge District Rural Area Subject Plan 1986-1998, have provided an effective control over development within these sensitive upland areas. It is considered appropriate and necessary to maintain strict planning control in these areas. SCPAs are designated in Volumes 2 and 3 of the Plan.
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