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Northern Ireland Planning Service

Banbridge / Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015
Preamble (Page 2 of 3)

Representations in support of, or objections to any of the Plan Proposals must be submitted in writing and must be received not later than 4.30pm on Tuesday 17th October 2006. Representations and objections should, where appropriate,be accompanied by an up-to-date map clearly identifying any lands to which they relate. Late objections cannot be considered.
Representations and objections should be addressed to:
Mr T Donnelly
Principal Planning Officer
Banbridge/ Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015
Divisional Planning Office
Marlborough House
Central Way
CRAIGAVON
BT64 1AD
Tel: 028 3834 1144
Fax: 028 3832 0004
E-Mail: craigavon.planning@doeni.gov.uk
The Department will consider any representations and objections it may receive relating to the Draft Plan. The Department is required, under the provisions of Article 4a of the Planning (Development Plans)(Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004, to provide for the public notification of objections and to invite inspection of and written representations about those objections. The Department may request the Planning Appeals Commission(PAC)to hold a public examination for the purpose of considering such objections. If a public examination is held, the Department will consider the recommendations of the PAC and then decide whether to adopt the Plan in whole or in part, with or without modification. A final version of the Plan incorporating any amendments or revisions will then be published.
The Department has also prepared, and is publishing, a number of supplements to accompany the Draft Plan. These provide background and technical information that has informed the policies and proposals contained in the Draft Plan.
  • The Technical Supplements deal with:
    • Population and Housing;
    • Industry;
    • Education, Health, Social and Community Facilities;
    • Public Services and Utilities;
    • Open Space, Sport and Recreation;
    • Retailing;
    • Transportation;
    • Tourism; and
    • Report on Public Participation.
  • A Countryside Assessment Supplement which includes an appraisal of environmental assets, an assessment of the landscape of the Plan Area, an analysis of rural development pressure and an appraisal of each settlement in terms of its character, assets and constraints, conservation issues and settlement limit.
  • A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) comprising an assessment of the probable environmental impacts of the policies and proposals in the Plan. An Appropriate Assessment Report containing details of the appropriate assessment carried out in respect of the Plan proposals in line with the requirements of Article 6.3 and 6.4 of the Habitats Directive.
  • Equality Impact Assessment Supplement comprising an assessment of the probable equality impacts of the policies and proposals contained in the Plan.
The current statutory plans covering the Plan Area are:
  • Banbridge Area Plan 1983-1998;
  • Banbridge District Rural Area Subject Plan 1986-1998;
  • Newry Area Plan 1984-1999;
  • Mourne Area Plan Settlement Proposals 1984-1999; and
  • Newry and Mourne District Rural Area Subject Plan 1986-1999.
Although these plans have passed their notional end dates, each will remain a material consideration in determining planning applications until superseded by the adoption of a successor plan.
The Draft Plan itself will constitute a material consideration in determining planning applications. Further information on the weight the Department attaches to the policies and proposals in emerging development plans is set out in the Joint Ministerial Statement of 31 January 2005 entitled "Development Plans and Implementation of the Regional Development Strategy".
The Plan Proposals constitute considerations that the Department will take into account in determining planning applications within the Plan Area. The contents of the Draft Plan must be read as a whole, as often several designations, policies and proposals may be relevant to a particular development proposal.
The Plan Proposals should not, however, be read as the only tests of acceptability for development proposals. The Plan Proposals sit alongside but do not supersede prevailing regional planning policy as set out in the Regional Development Strategy (RDS), Planning Policy Statements (PPSs), and A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland (PSRNI), except where specifically indicated in the Plan. In making its decisions, the Department will assess proposals against all planning policies and other material considerations that are relevant to it. The contents of the Draft Plan must therefore be read in conjunction with the relevant contents of regional planning policy publications, supplementary planning guidance documents and with policy publications of other Government Departments.
In bringing forward proposals for planning permission, applicants must therefore take account of the content of prevailing regional policies and policy guidance, in addition to the specific policies and proposals contained in the Draft Plan.
Nothing in the Draft Plan, (hereafter referred to as 'the Plan') should be read as a commitment that public resources will be provided for any specific project.All proposals for public expenditure are subject to economic appraisal and will also have to be considered having regard to the overall availability of resources.
Unless otherwise stated, all references in the Plan to the 'Department' refer to the Department of the Environment.
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