Northern Ireland Planning Service

PPS 4 (Draft): Industry, Business and Distribution
Policy IBD 8

Policy IBD 8 Re-use and Adaptation of a Redundant Non-Agricultural Rural Building for Industrial or Business Use  
Planning permission will be granted for the re-use and adaptation of a redundant non-agricultural rural building for industrial or business use where all the following criteria are met:
  1. the building is genuinely redundant and its re-use would not result in the need for a new building as a replacement;
  2. the building is of sound and permanent construction and is proposed for re-use and adaptation without complete or major reconstruction;
  3. the form, bulk and general design of the building are in keeping with its surroundings and any conversion work respects local building styles and materials
  4. there is sufficient room in the curtilage of the building to park the vehicles of those who will work or visit there and also to service its use, all without detriment to the visual amenity of the countryside;
  5. no business or industrial activity or storage of raw materials or finished goods is to take place outside the building; and
  6. no new fences, walls or other structures associated with the use of the building or the definition of its curtilage or any sub-division of it will be erected if they would damage the visual amenity of the countryside.

Justification and Amplification

4.30 The Department recognises the importance of enterprises emanating from the local community in the regeneration of rural areas. Where possible such enterprises should be contained within existing buildings. The countryside contains many non-agricultural buildings which have outlived their original purposes. Examples include old mills, rural schools, churches and other community buildings. Unless alternative uses can be found, they may suffer decay and dereliction leading to the despoliation of the rural landscape.
4.31 With little external alteration, some of these buildings may be suitable for re¬use for business or industrial purposes. The re-use of such properties can help stimulate new enterprises and provide much needed and acceptable accommodation for small-scale business and industry. Favourable consideration will be given to proposals for the adaptation and re-use of existing rural buildings, where the proposal meets the normal planning criteria and is of a scale and type which can be absorbed into the rural environment without leading to a significant loss of amenity.
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