Summary
The Department for Infrastructure is inviting views from the public and stakeholders to identify and inform potential changes to The Planning (Development Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. The consultation focuses on a review of the existing classes of development and the corresponding thresholds for local, major and regionally significant development; proposals to make pre-determination hearings discretionary for councils; and proposals to provide for in-person and online/electronic engagement as part of pre-application community consultation process.
Documents
- A Review of the Planning (Development Management) Regulations (NI) 2015 - Public Consultation Document December 2023
- The Planning (Development Management) Regulations (NI) 2015 - Public Consultation (Changes to Classes & Thresholds) - Section 75 Screening - December 2023
- The Planning (Development Management) Regulations (NI) 2015 - Public Consultation (Online & Digital PACC Proposals) - Section 75 Screening - December 2023
- The Planning (Development Management) Regulations (NI) 2015 - Public Consultation (Remove Mandatory PDH Proposals) - Section 75 Screening - December 2023
- The Planning (Development Management) Regulations (NI) 2015 - Public Consultation - Regulatory Impact Assessment - December 2023
- Departmental Response to the Public Consultation on Pre-application Community Consultation and Pre-determination Hearings
Consultation description
The 2022 Review Report on the implementation of the Planning Act (NI) 2011 included several actions in relation to the above Regulations namely (a) a review of categories and thresholds for development; (b) removal of mandatory pre-determination hearings; and (c) incorporating online/digital aspects into the pre-application community consultation process.
These actions now form part of the Planning Improvement Programme (PIP) being brought forward by the Department, working closely with local government and partners, to improve current processes and the performance and delivery of the planning system.
To ensure the Development Management Regulations remain fit for purpose, relevant and consider current changing trends, the Department wishes to seek the views of the public to inform the nature and extent of any legislative change required.
This consultation will be of interest to all stakeholders in the planning system, including those affected by or with an interest in development in their area, applicants and their agents, councils, and statutory consultees. The Department would encourage all those with a vested interest to contribute to this consultation process.
Give us your views
You are invited to submit your views online using the Citizen Space link below.
https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/dfi-1/review-of-the-planning-development-management-regu
This is the primary means of responding to the consultation. However, respondents may also reply by:
E-mail:
Legislation.Planning@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
Post:
Public Consultation
Review of The Planning (Development Management) Regulations (NI) 2015
Regional Planning Governance and Legislation
Room 1-08, Clarence Court
10-18 Adelaide Street
Belfast BT2 8GB
The closing date for receipt of comments is 3rd March 2024. Submissions received after this deadline will not be accepted.
Copies in other languages and formats, (including Braille, large print etc.), can be made available on request. If it would assist you to access this document in an alternative format or language other than English, please contact us by email or post at the above addresses, or by calling 0300 200 7830.
Equality Impact Assessment Screenings and an Initial Preliminary Regulatory Impact Assessment have been undertaken and are available to view or download at the links above. The Department welcomes views and comments on whether the conclusions contained in these assessments are correct.
The information you provide in your response, excluding personal information, may be published or disclosed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) or the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR). If you want the information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please tell us why, but please note that, under the FOIA, we cannot guarantee confidentiality.
For information regarding the Departmental Privacy Notice following the introduction of GDPR please go to: DfI Privacy or phone the Data Protection Office on 028 90540540. For further details on confidentiality, the FOIA and EIR please refer to ICO.
Ways to respond
Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.