Every rule your project must meet, found for you.
Search Northern Ireland’s planning and building-control guidance, ask a question in plain English, or generate a project compliance checklist — every answer cited to the source.
Working to a specific project? Generate a compliance checklist →
Answers, with citations
Ask in plain English and get an answer that links to the exact source clause — never an unsourced guess.
Scoped to your council
Overlay a council's local development plan on the Northern Ireland-wide regulations and policy.
Project compliance checklist
Characterise a project and get the requirements that apply, grouped by work area. Try it →
The library
Search the source guidance
50 results · filtered
Purpose and Authority of PPS 15
NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
This Planning Policy Statement, revised PPS 15 'Planning and Flood Risk' sets out the Department's draft planning policies to minimise and manage flood risk to people, property and the environment. It
flood-risksite-planningsustainabilityIntroduction - Background to Flood Risk in Northern Ireland
1.0, 1.1, 1.2NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Flooding is a natural phenomenon that cannot be entirely prevented. There are four main sources of flooding. Flooding from rivers or fluvial flooding occurs when the channel capacity is exceeded and f
flood-risksite-planningFlood Risk Extent in Northern Ireland
1.3NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
There is widespread potential in Northern Ireland for localised flooding. Significant flood events have occurred in the recent past. A description of these and some major historical flood events is co
flood-riskcoastalsite-planningClimate Change and Flood Risk
1.4NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Climate change predictions of rising global temperatures will be accompanied by sea level rise, an increase in overall winter precipitation and an increase in intensity and duration of extreme rainfal
flood-risksite-planningclimate-changePlanning System Role in Flood Risk Management
1.6NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The Directive confirms that development and other man-made changes to the environment can exacerbate the consequences of flooding. Accordingly, one of the Directive's outcome measures relates to flood
flood-risksite-planningdevelopmentScope and Primary Aim of PPS 15
1.8NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
This revised PPS 15 is focused on the role of the land use planning system in the management of flood risk. It has been brought forward in line with a commitment to review the policy within 5 years in
site-planningflood-riskNatural Flood Risk Management and Sustainable Drainage
1.7NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
There is also growing awareness of the potential role of the planning system in natural flood risk management at catchment scale and also in local flood adaptation such as facilitating sustainable dra
site-planningflood-riskdrainageRegional Development Strategy 2035 Overview
2.1-2.2NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The Regional Development Strategy 2035 (RDS) is the spatial strategy of the Executive. It aims to provide long term policy direction with a strategic spatial perspective to facilitate and guide the pu
site-planningUrban and Rural Renaissance Development in Flood Risk Areas
RG 7NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The redevelopment of land for urban and rural renaissance should avoid, where possible, areas that are at risk from flooding (RG 7).
site-planningflood-riskPrecautionary Approach to Development in Flood Risk Areas
RG 9NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Minimising development in areas at risk from flooding - a precautionary approach to development in areas of flood risk should be exercised using the latest flood risk information that is available (RG
site-planningflood-riskImplications of Climate Change for Northern Ireland - Key Message
NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Climate change is one of Northern Ireland's foremost environmental, social and economic challenges. It is vitally important to ensure that our new and existing infrastructure is as resilient as possib
site-planningdrainageCross-Departmental Working Group on Climate Change
2.4NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The Cross-Departmental Working Group on Climate Change, which was established by the Executive in February 2011, under the chairmanship of the Environment Minister, aims to review cross-departmental a
site-planningClimate Change Risk Assessment - Identified Risks
2.5NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) for Northern Ireland published in January 2012, identified a range of climate risks across 11 sectors including Agriculture, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Servic
coastaldrainagesite-planningNorthern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme
2.6NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
A cross departmental Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme (Adaptation Programme) was published in January 2014. It provides Government's response to the risks identified in the Climate
site-planningdrainageClimate Change Adaptation Programme
2.7NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The Adaptation Programme promotes action under four primary areas: water, flooding, agriculture / forestry and natural environment. A number of actions and activities have been identified by all depar
site-planningWater Framework Directive Overview
2.8NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The EC Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in December 2000. The WFD introduced a new holistic approach to the management of water quality and established a set of common principles for th
site-planningdrainageWFD and Floods Directive Integration in Development Planning
2.9NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The programme of measures will have implications for decision-making in the development sector in relation to supporting the WFD objectives and delivering sustainable development. Given the linkages b
site-planningdrainageEU Floods Directive transposition and competent authority
2.10NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The European Directive on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risks came into force in November 2007 and was transposed into local legislation by The Water Environment (Floods Directive) Regulation
site-planningflood-riskKey milestones in Floods Directive implementation
2.11NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Key milestones towards the implementation of the Floods Directive include the following: • Publication of the Strategic Flood Maps for Northern Ireland in November 2008. These maps identify the predic
site-planningflood-riskcoastalFlood Risk Management Plans and River Basin Districts
2.12NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) are due to be published by December 2015. The FRMPs will apply to each of the three main River Basin Districts in Northern Ireland, namely North Eastern, Neagh-Bann
site-planningflood-riskFlood Risk Management Plan Themes
2.13NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The FRMPs focus on 3 main themes, as follows: PREVENTION • The avoidance of, where possible, new development in areas of flood risk, • Promoting appropriate land use, agriculture and forestry practice
flood-risksite-planningStormwater Management and Sustainable Drainage Systems Implementation
2.14NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
In September 2011, Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) published the document "Managing Stormwater – A Strategy for Promoting the Use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) within Northern Irel
drainageflood-risksite-planningReservoir Bill for Northern Ireland
2.16NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
It is anticipated that a Reservoirs Bill, will be enacted in 2014/15. The legislation will introduce a risk based approach to the management of the potential flood risk from controlled reservoirs and
flood-risksite-planningConsistency with Sustainable Development Strategy
2.19NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The policies in the Statement are consistent with the guiding principles of sustainable development expressed in the 'Everyone's Involved – Sustainable Development Strategy' for Northern Ireland, publ
site-planningPolicy Objectives
3.1NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The main objectives of this statement are to: • seek to prevent inappropriate new development in areas known to be at risk of flooding, or that may increase the flood risk elsewhere; • ensure that the
site-planningdrainagecoastalruralThe Role of Development Plans in the Planning System
4.1NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Development plans set out how future development will be accommodated in the plan area over the plan period within the overarching strategic framework provided by the Regional Development Strategy (RD
site-planningSustainable Development and Flood Risk Management in Development Plans
4.2NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The preparation of a development plan provides a key opportunity for the planning authority to consider how best to plan for and facilitate sustainable patterns of development in the plan area in acco
site-planningEU Floods Directive and Development Plan Role in Flood Risk Management
4.3NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The role of development plans in taking account of flood risk management considerations has assumed greater significance in recent years as a result of the implementation of the European Union (EU) Fl
site-planningDevelopment plan zoning and flood risk avoidance
4.4NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Development plans need to take account of the potential risks from all sources of flooding over the plan period and beyond as this is likely to influence decisions on such matters as the zoning of lan
site-planningflood-riskresidentialeconomic-developmentFlood risk in settlement limits and new settlements
4.5NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Flood risk may also be an important consideration in the definition of settlement limits and in the designation of new settlements.
site-planningflood-riskCross-boundary flood risk implications
4.6NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
In addition, development plans may also need to consider the potential implications of flood risks beyond the Plan area. This may be necessary where: a) development in locations beyond the Plan area h
site-planningflood-riskFlood risk management consultation and EU Floods Directive linkages
4.7NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
In discharging all of these functions relating to flood risk management, local development plans need to make the necessary linkages with and to be informed by the existing and emerging body of inform
site-planningflood-riskConsultation with Rivers Agency on flood risk management
4.9NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
There should also be consultation with Rivers Agency from an early stage on strategic issues relating to flood risk management throughout the Plan area and beyond. Ongoing consultation with Rivers Age
site-planningflood-riskStrategic flood risk information and climate change considerations
4.10NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The strategic flood risk information and advice provided by Rivers Agency at development plan preparation stage will take account of the latest information on flood risk. This will not only include th
site-planningflood-riskPrecautionary approach to flood risk in development plans
4.11NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Development Plans will apply a precautionary approach to development in areas that may be subject to flood risk presently or in the future as a result of climate change predictions. Consequently, deve
site-planningflood-riskReview of existing development plans for flood risk
4.12NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
As part of the precautionary approach, the planning authority may also need to review extant development plans with a view to addressing flood risk issues which may only have been identified relativel
site-planningflood-riskSustainable Flood Management in Development Plans
4.13NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Development plans have a role to play in furthering a more sustainable approach to flood management. This includes a number of measures such as:- • Flood avoidance through the careful selection of hou
site-planningdrainageflood-riskGreen Infrastructure and Flood Plains Protection
4.14NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Floodplains and other land important for flood storage or conveyance or sustainable drainage, within or adjacent to settlements can often form important strategic networks of green and / or blue space
site-planningdrainageflood-riskopen-spaceconservationPlanning for Storm Exceedance in Development Sites
4.15NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Development plans can reduce flood risk to vulnerable development (existing or proposed) through planning for storm exceedance. For example, within a site zoned for housing or economic development, th
site-planningflood-riskdwellingSustainable Drainage Schemes in Development Plans
4.16NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Development plans can support the use of SuDS as the preferred option for surface water drainage in the Plan area. For example, measures such as the
drainageflood-risksite-planningSustainable Drainage and Permeable Paving in Development Plans
NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
use of permeable paving for the developable area of a zoned site could be provided for through the stipulation of a key site requirement. Annex C provides further guidance on sustainable drainage syst
drainagesite-planningStrategic Environmental Assessment Requirements for Development Plans
4.17NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (NI) 2004 require that development plans be subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Where SEA identifies and describes the
drainagesite-planningSustainability Appraisal and Flood Risk Assessment
4.18NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The Planning Act (NI) 2015 requires development plans to be subjected to a sustainability appraisal which will incorporate consideration of the environmental effects of the development plan as identif
drainagesite-planningFlood Risk as a Material Consideration
5.1NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The susceptibility of all land to flooding is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. New development may be directly at risk from flooding from a number of sources and
flood-risksite-planningPre-Application Stage: Flood Risk Assessment Requirements
5.2NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The onus rests on the developer/applicant to identify and assess the potential for flood risk to their proposed development by referring to the Strategic Flood Map. Information and guidance is availab
flood-risksite-planningdrainageDetermination of Planning Applications – Use of Flood Risk Information
5.3NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
All planning applications, including those for the renewal of planning permission, will be determined with reference to the most up to date flood risk information available to the planning authority.
site-planningdrainageflood-riskConsultation on Flood Risk and Drainage in Planning Applications
5.4NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
The planning authority will consult Rivers Agency on planning applications in a number of circumstances, where it appears, on the basis of prevailing information, that flood risk or inadequate drainag
site-planningdrainageflood-riskCircumstances Requiring Consultation with Rivers Agency and Other Bodies
5.5NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
DARD Rivers Agency (and other organisations such as NI Water and / or DRD Transport NI in regard to surface water flooding) will normally be consulted in the following circumstances: • where, exceptio
site-planningdrainageflood-riskcoastalCircumstances requiring consultation on flood risk
NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
• where a proposed development is located in an area where there is a known history of surface water flooding, • where a proposal is of a size or nature that could significantly increase surface water
flood-riskdrainagesite-planningFlood risk assessment for building alterations or extensions
5.6NI-wide·PPS 15 Planning and Flood Risk (Revised)
Generally, applications to extend or alter individual buildings are unlikely to increase flood risk elsewhere and therefore consultation with Rivers Agency is largely unnecessary. However it is still
flood-risksite-planning