Northern Ireland Planning Service

Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Plan Framework: Retail, Services and Offices Protection of Existing Commercial Uses in Villages and Hamlets

Policy RSO 3 Protection of Existing/Established Commercial Uses
Development that involves the loss of individual commercial uses in villages and hamlets will only be permitted where:
  1. the existing/established use is no longer viable;
  2. there are adequate alternative facilities in the locality that cater for the needs of the local population, or
  3. the loss of the use will facilitate other environmental or community objectives.
A number of villages and hamlets have been designated in the Settlement Hierarchy due to the presence of businesses. The loss of commercial facilities may create difficulties for some of the settlement’s population, for example older members or the less mobile. The loss of an individual commercial use may be acceptable where there is adequate alternative provision to cater for residents’ needs, or it assists in the delivery of other significant community or environmental benefits, for example comprehensive redevelopment for mixed use.
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