Every rule that governs your project, in one place.

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Rural Needs Assessment (RNA) – In accordance with the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016 and in line with Council policy, an RNA is being undertaken at each key stage of the LDP to ensure that the social and e

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

In relation to our Borough the RDS identifies Metropolitan Newtownabbey as part of the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area, where significant investment should be centred, including employment opportuniti

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The diversity of the landscape across our Borough provides a unique resource of significant environmental quality stretching from the shores of Lough Neagh in the west to Belfast Lough in the east. Me

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Road transport links in the Borough are based upon accessibility to the Eastern Seaboard, Northern and North Western Key Transport Corridors and consists of single and dual carriageways, A-class roads

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

In terms of broadband connectivity, our Borough has excellent superfast broadband speeds in urban areas compared to other Council areas. The mobile telecommunications network in our Borough is general

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The provision of 21st Century transport and digital connectivity is also a prerequisite to the future economic success of our Borough and in particular will assist in the promotion of a vibrant rural

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Promote sustainable growth by managing development and securing new infrastructure provision in our settlements, countryside and coast to meet the needs of all our citizens.

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Spatial Growth Strategy (a) Focus core growth in Metropolitan Newtownabbey and the Major Hub Town of Antrim, based upon existing committed development allocations and strengthen their roles as the pri

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

In the countryside, development proposals will be supported in principle where they accord with the relevant policies and/or designations of the LDP, and are of a scale and nature appropriate to the l

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Core growth is focused on the largest settlements of Metropolitan Newtownabbey and Antrim where the infrastructure, population, services and facilities mean these places can accommodate further growth

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Promote sustainable growth by managing development and securing new infrastructure provision in our settlements, countryside and coast to meet the needs of all our citizens.

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council does not intend to identify sites for employment-related developments in the smaller settlements of our Borough in the interests of flexibility. Industrial and business development proposa

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will support the ongoing operational needs of our Borough's agricultural sector and facilitate appropriate farm diversification schemes.

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Beyond Metropolitan Newtownabbey and our Borough's towns, the Council is not proposing to designate employment lands in the interests of flexibility; rather proposals in our villages and rural area wi

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Regional planning policy recognises tourism as a key element, underpinning sustainable economic growth and highlights that tourism investment can bring new facilities to our towns and surrounding area

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council's Economic Strategy recognises that whilst our tourism offer remains relatively underdeveloped, recent and planned investment in infrastructure, hotel rooms and tourism products is seeing

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council acknowledges however that to support and enhance our Borough's tourism sector, careful management is required to ensure that the key historic environment and natural heritage assets which

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The aim of this policy is to ensure that appropriate sustainable economic development opportunities are available in the countryside to support rural communities and help sustain the rural economy, wh

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Farm diversification, tourism development and the re-use of rural buildings all play an important role in supporting and sustaining jobs in the countryside. The Council also recognises the need to sup

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will support a range of employment uses in the countryside where the scale and nature of the proposal respects the rural character and appearance of the local area, and will not adversely

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will support employment use associated with a suitable farm diversification proposal in accordance with Policy DM 5.

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will support proposals for the conversion and reuse of a redundant non-residential rural building for an employment use where the nature and scale of the proposal is appropriate to its cou

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The development of tourism attractions, amenities and recreational facilities will also be supported where these accord with Policy DM 9.

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will support the development of a small rural enterprise project on a site outside a village or hamlet, but clearly associated with it, where it is demonstrated there is a firm proposal su

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will support proposals for the expansion of an established rural enterprise or its redevelopment for industrial or business use within the confines of the existing site subject to normal p

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Proposals involving a new building(s) and/or an expansion of the existing site area will be acceptable where it is demonstrated that: (a) There is a business need for the proposal and relocation of th

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council may also support proposals for the redevelopment of an established industrial or business enterprise to provide a suitable tourist, recreation or community facility.

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will support a proposal for a major new industrial or economic development project where it is demonstrated that the proposal will make a significant contribution to the regional economy a

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Agricultural and Forestry Development Why we have this Policy 5.34 The aim of this policy is to ensure that the operational development needs of farm and forestry businesses are managed in an approp

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will support proposals for a new agricultural building(s), forestry development or other development ancillary to the operation of an active farm business where it is demonstrated that: (a

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

In assessing proposals, it will normally be expected that the business has been established and active for a minimum of 6 years. Exceptionally, a lesser period may be acceptable, but only where the ap

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

DM 4.3 Exceptionally the use of a suitable alternative site away from the existing buildings on the holding may be acceptable where: (a) It is essential for the efficient functioning of the farm or fo

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

DM 4.4 Development proposals involving intensive farming, forestry or animal husbandry must demonstrate that they will not result in any significant adverse health or environmental effects, particular

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

5.37 The aim of this policy is to facilitate sustainable diversification schemes that will allow farmers to supplement the income they receive from farming. This aim has taken account of and is consis

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will support the reuse and/or adaptation of farm buildings as part of a farm diversification scheme to be run in conjunction with existing agricultural operations where: (a) The farm busin

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Exceptionally a new building may be permitted where it has been demonstrated that there is no existing building available to accommodate the proposal, either because they are essential for the operati

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

New buildings should be sited to cluster with the existing farm group unless this would be prejudicial to the operation of the farm or there are sound environmental or amenity reasons to justify a sui

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

In the countryside, retail and commercial facilities will generally be limited to those associated with an appropriate farm diversification scheme or those that meet a local tourist need.

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Proposals for retail development in those villages where no local centre is defined and in hamlets will be supported provided: (a) It is demonstrated it meets a local need that will sustain the commun

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will support the development of appropriate small-scale retail and ancillary commercial leisure uses in the countryside such as farm shops, craft shops, and shops/cafes serving tourist or

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Tourism is a growing sector of our Borough's economy and the Council recognises that there is scope to further develop the range of tourism products and accommodation. Our Borough's tourism assets are

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

In countryside locations, the Council will support a proposal for new or enhanced tourist amenities, attractions and recreational facilities where this will result in a sustainable form of development

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

For new hotels and guesthouses, preference will be given to developments that are physically associated with existing settlements or which involve the sympathetic conversion of a locally important bui

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

For caravan, cabin or chalet proposals in the rural area, visual impact and access arrangements will be important considerations. Proposals will need to demonstrate what landscaping measures will be p

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will also support a proposal for a major tourism development that requires a countryside location due to its size or site-specific or functional requirements, where it is demonstrated that

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Modern day telecommunications and the provision of utilities infrastructure are essential elements in the life of our people and for the local and national economy. They have a specific role in promot

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will only support development proposals relying on non-mains sewerage, where it can be demonstrated that this will not create or add to a pollution problem.

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will require development proposals to be supported by sufficient information on the means of sewerage to allow a proper assessment of such proposals to be made. In those areas identified a

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council will encourage the development of telecommunications facilities and digital services that assist the local economy or support local communities. Innovative solutions to increase network ca

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The Council is also providing appropriate opportunities for the sustainable development of homes in our countryside in accordance with the provisions of Policy DM 18.