The practice notes stem from the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and any related subordinate legislation. The emphasis is very much on advice, but where explicit legislative requirements must be followed these are made clear.
Development Plan Practice Notes are designed to guide planning officers and others engaged in the planning system through the key requirements for the preparation and adoption of a Local Development Plan (LDP) and deal primarily with procedures as well as good practice.
Development Plan Practice Note 01 Introduction: Context for Local Development Plans (April 2015)