Banbridge / Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015
Strategic Plan Framework: Settlement Infrastructure

New development often requires the alteration of existing infrastructure and/or the provision of new infrastructure. Such works may include improvements to water and sewerage, land drainage or transport networks. Under current government policy developers may be required to provide or contribute to the capital cost of works required to facilitate their development proposals. This policy applies to both public and private developments.

Under the Reform of Water and Sewerage Services for Northern Ireland the provision of infrastructure charges is being reviewed, including the policy for developer's contribution to infrastructure improvement requirements associated with their development proposals.

In carrying out the Appropriate Assessment for the Plan under the EC Habitats Directive 92/43, it was not possible to show that there would be no adverse effects on the integrity of the Carlingford Lough Special Protection Area and Murlough Special Area of Conservation as a result of a potential lack of adequate sewage treatment facilities in the following areas:

Therefore, in the light of the outcome of the Appropriate Assessment, the Department has agreed to continue to work with the Department for Regional Development, Water Service in order that all development proposals will be scrutinised in accordance with the provisions laid out in Planning Policy Statement 2 - Planning and Nature Conservation to ensure that they would not have an adverse impact on the conservation objectives of international conservation designations. There may be the option, in certain cases, for developers, in consultation with Water Service and the Environment and Heritage Service, to provide private wastewater treatment facilities. Developers may also wish to discuss with Water Service the possibility of improvements to Waste Water Treatment Works and/or sewerage systems being taken forward as a result of the developer contributing to the cost of such improvements and within a programmed timescale agreed by Water Service. In other cases it may be necessary for the Department to refuse planning permission in advance of the provision of the necessary infrastructure.

In regard to transport infrastructure developers will be required, taking account of the nature and scale of the development proposed, to provide footpath and possibly cycle links to meet existing pedestrian and cycle infrastructure. As a minimum, all developers will be required to provide footpath links across the development frontage.

Developers should note that while the key site requirements for the development of zoned sites are set out in the Plan, the need for certain supplementary infrastructural works and/or mitigation measures necessary to facilitate the specific scale and form of development proposed may only be identified at planning application stage. An example may be as a result of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or a Transport Assessment (TA).

Where appropriate, planning agreements under Article 40 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 may be used to enable developers to proceed. Developers are urged to liaise early in the preparation of their proposals with the relevant Department, Agency or service provider.

Some development sites will require existing infrastructure, such as major watermains and sewers, and designated watercourses, to be safeguarded. This may include ensuring that such infrastructure is not built over and that necessary wayleave strips are retained to facilitate maintenance. It is the responsibility of the developer to liaise with the relevant agencies in this regard.