The Strategic Planning Policy Statement for Northern Ireland' - Planning for Sustainable Development (SPPS), was published in September 2015 following a period of extensive engagement with key planning stakeholders and Executive Committee agreement.
The provisions of the SPPS must be taken into account in the preparation of Local Development Plans, and are also material to all decisions on individual planning applications and appeals.
The Department for Communities (DfC) updated its definition of “Affordable Housing” on 1 April 2021. For the purposes of planning and the SPPS, the new definition applies. The new definition and relevant page on the DfC website can be accessed by following this link.
The Minister for Infrastructure (DfI) announced her decision to review strategic planning policy for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy on 21 April 2021. The Press Release for this announcement can be accessed by following this link.
The Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS)