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Northern Ireland Planning Service

Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Plan Framework: Education, Health, Community and Cultural Facilities Regional Policy Context

The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) seeks to facilitate the development of education, health and community services, and cultural and leisure amenities necessary to meet the needs of the growing population.
The Department’s regional planning policies for community needs are currently set out in the Rural Strategy. Supplementary guidance is contained in DCAN 9: Residential and Nursing Homes, and DCAN 13: Crèches, Day Nurseries and Pre-School Playgroups.
Policy ECU 1 Education, Health, Community and Cultural Facilities
Planning permission will be granted for education, health, community and cultural facilities provided all the following criteria are met:
  1. there is no significant detrimental effect on amenity;
  2. the proposal does not prejudice the comprehensive development of surrounding lands, particularly on zoned sites;
  3. the proposals are in keeping with the size and character of the settlement or neighbourhood and its surroundings;
  4. where necessary, additional infrastructure is provided by the developer, and
  5. there are satisfactory access, parking and sewerage disposal arrangements.
The presence of community facilities within an area assists in creating vibrancy and a focal point for residents, although the impact on the amenity of local residents may be a concern in some cases. They often have the potential to enhance environmental interest of educational value.
Policy ECU 2 Protection of Community Facilities
Development that involves the loss of individual community uses will only be permitted where:
  1. there is no prospect of a continued community use;
  2. there are adequate alternative facilities in the locality that cater for the needs of the local population; and
  3. the current or established use is no longer viable.
The loss of community facilities (as defined in Part C, Class C3: Residential Institutions, and Part D, Class D1: Community and Cultural Uses, of the Planning (Use Classes) Order (Northern Ireland) 2004) can affect the life-blood of the host settlement, as they may comprise the only meeting place for local residents. Once lost, these facilities tend to be gone forever. The lack of adequate public transport underlines the need to prevent the loss of such facilities.
The services do, however, need the support of the local population if they are to survive. When considering proposals involving the loss of such facilities, the Department will take into account the level of this support. If a service becomes not viable as a result of lack of patronage, it may not be possible to prevent its loss. However, the applicant will need to demonstrate that the existing service is indeed not viable, or that alternative provision exists within a reasonable distance.
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