Comment

Local Development Plan Update November 2020

The Local Development Plan (LDP) process is truly up and running.

A number of councils are currently consulting on their draft Plan Strategies and the first Independent Examination is scheduled to take place next week.

Current activity

Belfast City Council draft Plan Strategy

The Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) has confirmed that the first session of the Independent Examination (IE) into the draft Plan Strategy (dPS) will run from Monday 16 November to Friday 27 November 2020. These sessions will focus on:

1. Legal & Procedural matters relating to the draft plan timetable and the Sustainability Appraisal which accompanied the dPS.
2. Draft policies relating to:

• Development in the countryside
• Infrastructure, telecoms and utilities
• Waste infrastructure
• Mineral development
• Environmental resilience
• Open Space
• Natural Heritage & Trees
• Landscape and coast

The PAC has contacted all parties who submitted representations on these matters to understand whether they are content to rely on their written submission or wish to make an oral submission to the hearing. Only those making oral submissions will be involved in the remote sessions. The sessions will be streamed live on YouTube for interested parties to view.

We understand that the PAC intends to commence the next round of the IE in January 2021. Over the course of the next month, further information about these sessions will be shared with all parties. 

Derry City & Strabane District Council draft Plan Strategy

Following a procedural error relating to the advertising dates for the first round of consultation on the dPS, the council relaunched its consultation which expired on Friday 6 November 2020. It is important to note that no changes have been made to the draft policies within the dPS.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council draft Plan Strategy

Having reviewed comments received during the consultation on the dPS, the council has proposed a number of changes to the draft policies relating to housing, renewable energy, minerals and flood. Consultation on the proposed changes has commenced and will run until Thursday 3 December 2020. During this time representations can be made on the proposed changes.

Mid Ulster District Council draft Plan Strategy

Earlier in the year the council re-consulted on its dPS following a procedural error resulting from a missed consultation. As a result of the re-consultation a number of new representations were received. The council has now launched consultation for counter-representation to the additional comments received. This period of consultation will run until Friday 18 December 2020.

 

Please contact Angela Wiggam or Emma Walker if you have any queries on Local Development Plan process.

12 November 2020