Northern Ireland Planning Service

Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Plan Framework: Tourism Tourist Accommodation within Settlements

Policy TOU 2 Tourist Accommodation within Settlements
Proposals for accommodation for tourism purposes within settlements will be approved, subject to the following criteria:
  • they are of a scale, nature and design that is compatible with the local area;
  • there is a range of ancillary facilities and services in the settlement or local area to meet the needs of tourists, and
  • they are accessible by a range of transport modes and there is no unacceptable impact on the local highway network.
The Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland (PSRNI) provides for tourism development on rural sites where there is an established economic case. In the past, developments initially proposed for use as tourist accommodation have often facilitated second home occupation rather than providing, for example, units for rental as self-catering holiday accommodation, thereby making a significant contribution to the local tourist economy. The Department now considers this is no longer acceptable, and only rural tourist accommodation that makes a major contribution to the local economy will be permitted. The identified towns, villages and hamlets will normally provide suitable development locations for all tourism-related residential development.
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