Planning 1 - Structure, policy and plans

Question 1

Why have a planning System?

Answer 1

Planning control is the process of managing the development of land + buildings.

Sustainable development balances economic development + environmental quality.

Question 2

Planning System Structure

Answer 2

1. Legislative Framework = The Planning Acts
   NI – Planning Act 2011

2. National / Regional
NI is considered a single region
SPPS + RDS
DFI - responsible for Regional Strategic Planning and development policy
2 directorates RPD & SPD

3. Local Level
April 2015 - The Planning (LDP) Regs (NI) 2015
    - LDPs
    - DM
    - PE

Question 3

What is Development?

Answer 3

“the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over or under land, or the material change in use of buildings or land.”

Question 4

NI Subordinate Legislation?

Answer 4

GD PO 2015 - application procedure
Use Classes Order - Use class and PD in use class
DM Regs - framework & major
GP DO - Classifies PD

Question 5

Local Development plans

Answer 5

Apply regional policies at the local level
15 years - vision for the area
Inform - Public/SA’s/Developers/consultants
2 docs - PS & LPP
Applications determined with reference to plan

Question 6

Hierarchy of development and thresholds

Answer 6

Local / Major(regional)
Major - PACC, DAS
Development management Regs 2015
- 1ha
- transport 1km/ha
- chemical / hazardous waste storage
- 50 houses / 2ha
        - EIA Regs Sched 1
                  - dual c - 10km 
                  - crude oil / chem / asbestos
                  - thermal/nuclear power

Question 7

Permitted Development

Answer 7

GP DO 1995 (2015 NI)
Aim: reduce burden on planning authorities
• Typically, small scale and not controversial
eg extensions, conservation,AONB, impermeable, classes

Question 8

EZ’s / SPZ’s / SDO’s

Answer 8

EZ = financial and planning incentive - business
- rates discounts, simplified planning & broadband

SPZ = certain types of development - no application
eg vacant/ stalled
cant be on landscape/ecology designations

SDO = certain nature for a certain purpose
eg BREXIT - facilities for goods vehicles border dpt