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Local Development Plans in Northern Ireland: Progress update Q1 2023

It has been eight years since the reform of Local Government in Northern Ireland which saw the transferring of planning powers from central Government to local councils and the introduction of the new Local Development Plan (LDP) process. This update comments on the current position of the LDP process in Northern Ireland.

As we enter Q2 of 2023 we have seen some significant progress in the LDP process. Most notably Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has now formally adopted their Plan Strategy. Following the adoption of the Plan, the existing suite of Planning Policy Statements are no longer applicable in the determination of Planning Applications within the council area.

Hot on the heels of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, we also expect the adoption of the Belfast City Council Plan Strategy in the coming weeks following the implementation of a series of modifications to their Plan Strategy. 

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

Q1 2023 has been a busy period for Mid and East Antrim (MEA) as the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) has now issued their report into the soundness of the Plan to DfI.  DfI are now considering the PAC reports into the MEA and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) Plan Strategy and will shortly direct the councils on whether or not the Plans are sound. 

Our update summarises the main activities undertaken from the start of the year, and outlines the activities we are expecting to witness throughout the remainder of 2023.

Adopted Plans 

Fermanagh and Omagh (FODC)

FODC have made the most progress from the last LDP update. The PAC issued their report on the soundness of the Plan on 14 October 2022. Since then, DfI instructed the council to adopt the Plan, subject to a series of minor modifications. Following a brief period of consultation on the modifications during February 2023, FODC formally adopted the Plan Strategy on the 16 March 2023. The Plan Strategy for this council area will apply to all development proposals in the system from 16 March 2023 and those new planning applications going forward.  

Belfast City Council (BCC)

Since the previous update, BCC has concluded its consultation on the proposed amendments to the Plan Strategy and these have now been considered and accepted by DfI. It is anticipated that the council will now move to formally adopt the Plan Strategy in the coming weeks. We also expect that the council will formally adopt a suite of Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPGs) documents alongside the Plan Strategy. These SPGs include more detailed guidance to be read alongside the relevant policies within the Plan Strategy. 

Following adoption of the Plan Strategy, the existing suite of Planning Policy Statements will no longer apply to development proposals within Belfast. Moving forward developers should look to the Plan Strategy to inform new and emerging proposals. 

For both BCC and FODC, the next step is the preparation of the Local Policies Plan. This stage of the LDP process is more site-specific and will include the zoning of land for a range of uses and the identification of key site requirements. It will be important for the development sector to engage in consultation on this part of the LDP as it will impact on individual sites.

Independent Examinations (IE)

When the PAC concludes its independent examination (IE) of a draft Plan Strategy, it provides the DfI with a report into the soundness of the Plan. DfI then considers the feedback and will either direct the council that the Plan can be adopted; needs further revisions; or needs to be redrafted. 

There are currently three councils in Northern Ireland that have advanced through the IE stage. 

• Lisburn City and Castlereagh Council (LCCC) – The PAC report was issued to the DfI in November 2022. DfI are now considering the PAC report before directing the council on the next steps.
• Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (ANBC) – The release of the commissioner’s report was expected in February 2023, however this has been delayed. We now anticipate the release of the report in Q2 of 2023.
• Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEA) –The PAC report was issued to the DfI in February 2023. DfI will now consider the PAC report before issuing a direction to the council.

Draft Plan Strategies 

Draft Plan Strategies awaiting referral to the PAC

Following consultation on the draft Plan Strategy, councils will submit the Plan to DfI who will then determine if it 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.  

Below is a summary of the draft Plan Strategies that have been submitted to DfI.

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. 

Q2 and Q3 of 2023 look set to be a busy period for these councils, with their Plan Strategies being published for consultation. Should you have any queries about, or interests in these council areas, or any of the Plans in Northern Ireland, please get in touch with Angela Wiggam, Emma Kelly or Conor Campbell. 

12 April 2023