Comment

Local Development Plans in Northern Ireland: Progress update

2022 has been a busy year for Local Development Plans (LDP). Belfast City Council’s Plan Strategy has moved into its final phase before being adopted and four local councils have now completed the Independent Examination (IE) hearing stage. Looking ahead, 2023 is set to be a busy year with the publication of four draft Plan Strategies for public consultation and two further IE’s being held.

Our update summarises the main activities undertaken this year and outlines the activities we are expecting to witness in 2023.

Belfast City Council

In our previous update we noted that the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) had considered the report by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) and instructed Belfast City Council to make a series of minor revisions to their Plan Strategy. These changes related to the delivery of infrastructure and the phasing of new housing. 

The council subsequently issued a series of modifications to the Plan Strategy which were subject to public consultation from May to August of this year. Following this consultation period, the council has submitted a modified Plan Strategy to DfI for their consideration. It is anticipated that DfI will respond to the council before the end of 2022. 

Independent Examinations (IE)

Over the course of the year, four councils have progressed to the IE stage. We understand that the PAC will issue their assessment of these Plan Strategies over the course of the next five months.

• Fermanagh & Omagh District Council – issued 14 October 2022
• Lisburn City and Castlereagh Council – December 2022
• Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council – January 2023
• Mid and East Antrim Borough Council – February 2023

When the PAC concludes its assessment of a draft Plan Strategy, it provides the DfI with a recommendation, not a decision as to how they should proceed. DfI considers the recommendations and will either advise that the plan can be adopted; needs further revisions; or needs to be redrafted. 

Upon adoption of their Plan Strategy, each council will move to the preparation of the Local Policies Plan (LPP). In preparing the LPP, council’s will need to look in detail at land zonings for various uses and will be establishing key site requirements for their delivery.

Draft Plan Strategies

Draft Plan Strategies awaiting referral to the PAC

Draft Plan Strategies for two councils have now been submitted to DfI who will then determine if their documents can be issued to the PAC to commence the Independent Examination (IE) process. As part of the IE process, the PAC will hold a number of dedicated sessions to discuss specific topics based on their review of points raised in written submissions to the draft Plan Strategy. Typically, there are four sessions per plan, with each lasting for around two weeks.  

Draft Plan Strategies to be published

Of the 11 council areas, four have yet to publish a draft Plan Strategy for consultation. The table below summarises the status of those Plan Strategies.

 2023 looks set to be another busy year for LDPs, with several key opportunities to get involved in influencing draft Plan Strategies. 

Should you have any queries about the process or have an interest in development, particularly in the four council areas yet to publish their plan for consultation, please get in touch with Angela Wiggam, Emma Kelly or Conor Campbell.

3 November 2022