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Preamble - Purpose and Status of PPS 12
Preamble, paragraphs 1-3NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
On 20 September 2001, the Department for Regional Development (DRD) published Shaping Our Future: the Regional Development Strategy for Northern Ireland 2025 (RDS). The RDS will guide the future devel
dwellingsite-planningScope of PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
4NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The policy guidance in this statement applies to all residential development proposals within cities, towns, villages and small settlements in Northern Ireland. This policy document does not apply to
dwellingsite-planningPublic Resources Disclaimer
5NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
Nothing contained in this document should be read as a commitment that public resources will be provided for any specific project. All proposals for expenditure will be subject to economic, social, fi
Related Planning Policy Statements and Guidance
6NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
This is one of a series of PPSs, produced by DRD and DOE Planning Service. This statement should be read in conjunction with the relevant sections of the other prevailing planning policy statements, p
site-planningEquality Impact Assessment
8-9NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
PPS 12 has been prepared in accordance with the Department's statutory obligations under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Section 75 requires public authorities, in carrying out their func
accessibilityHuman Rights Compliance
10NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
This PPS is also subject to ongoing assessment in relation to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) through Article 2 of the Human Rights Act 1998. Preparation of this PPS has taken account o
New Targeting Social Need
11NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
PPS 12 is consistent with the strategic approach of New Targeting Social Need and includes provisions such as the promotion of accessibility for all, which will contribute to tackling poverty, social
accessibilitydwellingsRural Proofing
12NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
PPS 12 has been prepared in line with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's "A Guide to Rural Proofing – considering the needs of rural communities". Rural proofing ensures that the ne
ruralSustainability Appraisal
13NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
As good practice, this PPS was subjected to a Sustainability Appraisal in anticipation of the July 2004 deadline for compliance with the European Directive on Strategic Environmental Appraisal (SEA).
site-planningEnvironmental Assessment Exemption
14NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The Department is of the opinion that it is not required to publish an environmental assessment as specified in the new legislation because the first formal preparatory act (publication of draft PPS 1
site-planningRegional Development Strategy Overview and Housing Policy Framework
15-16NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The RDS recognises that the availability of quality housing in appropriate locations makes a vital contribution to the key policy objectives of government. It is a vital consideration in promoting eco
dwellingsite-planningRDS Spatial Development Strategy: Hub, Corridor and Gateway Framework
17NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The spatial development strategy of the RDS has at its core a hub, corridor and gateway framework aimed at achieving balanced and sustainable development across the Region. It contains six themes whic
site-planningHousing Planning Policy Principles
18NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The principles that underpin housing planning policy, outlined in the RDS, include the need to: • widen opportunity and choice; • improve the supply and quality of housing; and • promote sustainable d
dwellingsite-planningRegional Housing Growth Targets and Distribution
20NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
For the period up to the first review in 2010, the RDS sets a regional target of 60% of new housing to be located within existing urban areas of cities and towns of over 5,000 population. The carrying
dwellingsite-planningurbanSpatial Development Strategy Principles for Housing
21NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The approach to the location of future housing development, set out in the RDS is consistent with the spatial development strategy and reflects the guiding principles of the RDS by: integrating housin
dwellingsite-planningsustainabilityMajor RDS Themes on Housing
22NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
There are three major themes in the RDS that relate to housing: Managing housing growth and distribution (SPG-HOU 1 – SPG-HOU 3) In managing housing growth and its distribution, a balance has to be st
dwellingsite-planningSupporting urban renaissance
SPG-HOU 4 – SPG-HOU 5NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The promotion of more sustainable forms of development by encouraging compact and more attractive urban forms and increased housing within existing urban areas, supports the urban renaissance drive an
dwellingsite-planningurban-developmentAchieving balanced communities
SPG-HOU 6NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The strategy encourages the creation of more balanced local communities. These may be characterised by development patterns that contribute to greater community spirit, neighbourliness and a sense of
dwellingsite-planningPolicy Objectives
24NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The objectives of this PPS are: • to manage housing growth in response to changing housing need; • to direct and manage future housing growth to achieve more sustainable patterns of residential develo
dwellingsite-planningDevelopment Plans and Housing Land Assessment
25NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The development plan process is the main vehicle for assessing future housing land requirements. The development plan will also identify the settlement hierarchy in the plan area. The definition, of w
site-planningdwellingProcesses for Allocating Housing Land
26NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
Housing allocations in development plans will be determined by the: a) application of the housing growth indicators (HGIs); b) allowance for existing commitments (including dwellings already built); c
site-planningdwellingApplication of the Housing Growth Indicators
27NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The RDS provides a HGI for each district council area (in the case of the Belfast Metropolitan Area the HGI relates to the entire plan area, covering six councils). This indicator covers urban and rur
site-planningdwellingruralScope of PPS 12 - Housing in Settlements
NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
This PPS only deals with housing in settlements, which includes cities, towns, villages and small settlements. Housing in the rural area will be considered in PPS 14 – The Countryside, currently under
site-planningEvaluation Framework for Housing Distribution
28NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
In making judgements on the allocation of housing distribution across settlements, a broad evaluation framework should be used. The evaluation framework contained in the RDS is reproduced in Appendix
site-planningAllowance for Existing Commitments
29NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
In order to complete the calculation of the amount of new housing required for the settlements within the plan area, it is necessary to take into account housing already constructed, existing housing
site-planningdwellingUrban Capacity Studies
30NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
Urban capacity studies will be undertaken as an integral part of development plan preparation. These studies will provide a comprehensive analysis of the potential for future housing growth within the
site-planningUrban Capacity Studies - Publication and Methodology
31NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
Additionally, urban capacity studies will also be important in providing base data for future assessments of housing growth indicators and targets for the Region. The urban capacity studies will be pu
site-planningDevelopment plan housing site identification
32NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The development plan will identify sites for housing to meet the requirements for individual settlements taking into account the policy direction outlined in this PPS. It will also take account of loc
dwellingsite-planningSequential approach application to settlements
33NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The sequential approach should apply to settlements above this threshold, but there may be circumstances where it may be appropriate to apply the sequential approach below this threshold to settlement
dwellingsite-planningSequential approach for housing site identification
34NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The sequential approach will be used in the search for and the identification of housing sites through the development plan process. This will focus on the re-use of previously developed land and buil
dwellingsite-planningHousing site search sequence
Figure 2NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
Step 1: Use previously developed and undeveloped land within the urban footprint, informed by urban capacity studies Step 2: Extensions to cities and towns Step 3: Exceptional major expansion of a vil
dwellingsite-planningCriteria for Identifying Suitable Housing Development Sites
35NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
All of the following criteria will be considered in the identification of suitable sites: • the need for urban expansion, informed by allowances for existing commitments; • the physical and environmen
dwellingsite-planningaccessaccessibilityenvironmentalinfrastructureIdentification of Land Beyond Urban Footprint
36NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
It is not expected that every site identified will satisfy all of the above criteria, however, the approach taken must be both reasonable and justifiable. The requirement for identification of further
dwellingsite-planningHousing Needs Assessment Role in Development Planning
37NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) will provide a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) in relation to identified areas of the housing market to assist DOE Planning Service in their preparation of
dwellingsite-planningHousing Needs Assessment Publication and Examination
38NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The HNA will be published as a technical supplement in support of the development plan. The HNA may be subject to examination at the public inquiry in connection with an objection.
dwellingsite-planningHousing Needs Assessment Content Requirements
39NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The HNA will: • set the regional housing market context within which such specific housing needs exist; • highlight housing trends to provide a descriptive baseline and draw attention to any issues th
dwellingsite-planningHousing Needs Assessment Categories
41NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The NIHE will carry out regular monitoring and review of the data and trends for the various categories within the HNA. • Regeneration. • Social housing. • Affordable private rented. • Affordable own
dwellingflatshousing-supplyAffordable Housing Definition and Role
42-43NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The availability of affordable housing (see Glossary) is one part of the drive to help create mixed and inclusive communities. The planning system has an important role to play in creating communities
dwellingaffordable-housingsite-planningAffordable Housing Assessment and Hotspot Identification
44-45NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
In particular any hotspots for affordable owner occupation, high social demand or concentrations of private rented housing benefit accommodation will be identified in the HNA. The potential impacts of
dwellingaffordable-housingsite-planningAffordable Housing Delivery Mechanisms
46NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
Outside of development plans the delivery of affordable housing to meet the needs of different household types in Northern Ireland can at present be met by the following housing mechanisms: • social r
dwellingnon-domesticCo-ownership Low Cost Owner Occupation Scheme
47NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
At present the main delivery mechanism for affordable housing is the co-ownership low cost owner occupation scheme. This represents a very successful single product approach, which has helped over 18,
dwellingSocial Housing Sales Scheme and Mixed Communities
48NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
In addition, the social housing sales scheme also assists in achieving more balanced communities through achieving a mix of housing tenures and house types as it enables those on low incomes to make t
dwellingAdditional Mechanisms for Local Affordability Hotspots
49NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
Where a local affordability hot spot occurs, as identified by the HNA and meeting the affordable housing need within the immediate area presents a problem of delivery, a range of other additional mech
dwellingsite-planningopen-spaceAffordable Housing Context in Northern Ireland
50NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
Affordable housing is being delivered through the private housing market, particularly in the South East of England, where there is a severe lack of affordable housing for key workers. However, in Nor
dwellingaccessAffordable Housing Policy Approach
51NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
It is considered that it is not appropriate at present, to impose an arbitrary level of affordable housing to be delivered by the private market. This situation however will be monitored and kept unde
dwellingPlanning System Role in Affordability
52NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The planning system also has a part to play in addressing the issue of affordability. At present this will be through the identification of land for social housing purposes.
dwellingsite-planningSocial Housing Land Reservation
53NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The reservation of land for social housing will be achieved either through the zoning of land or the outlining of key site requirements through the development plan process. This will not preclude oth
dwellingsite-planningSocial Housing Needs Assessment and Coordination
54NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
Following the completion of the urban capacity studies and HNA, development plans will give consideration to the social housing needs detailed in the HNA. Planning Service, in accordance with the iden
dwellingsite-planningSupported Housing Definition
55NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
The term 'supported housing' relates to accommodation with complementary housing support services to cater for people with a
dwellingDistinguishing General Needs Housing from Specialised Supported Accommodation
56NI-wide·PPS 12 Housing in Settlements
For PPS 12 purposes it is necessary to distinguish between general needs housing where support needs are provided on a peripatetic/floating basis and the provision of specialised supported accommodati
dwellinghousing