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
34 results · filtered
Overview of Placemaking and Urban Design
1.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Good urban places within our towns and cities, where people live, work and socialise, are influenced by quality placemaking and urban design. Places that are sustainable, inclusive, enjoyable and safe
site-planningurban-designexternal-spacePurpose and Scope of SPG005 Guidance
1.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
This Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) provides advice and guidance specific to placemaking and urban design. It applies to the Belfast City Council area and is intended to be a point of reference
site-planningurban-designRegional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035
2.1.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The RDS provides regional guidance under the three sustainable development themes of economy, society and environment in relation to design issues. Policy RG7 supports urban and rural renaissance by r
site-planningexternal-spaceurban-designStrategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) - Placemaking Approach
2.1.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The SPPS outlines that good design can change lives, communities and neighbourhoods for the better. It also outlines that new buildings and their surroundings have a significant effect on the characte
site-planningexternal-spaceurban-designSPPS - Key Principles for Successful Placemaking
2.1.3Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The SPPS states that the key to successful placemaking is identifying the assets of a particular place as well as developing a vision for its future potential. This includes the relationship between d
site-planningexternal-spaceurban-designLocal Development Plan (LDP) Plan Strategy
2.2.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The Local Development Plan (LDP) Plan Strategy provides the strategic policy framework for the plan area as a whole across a range of thematic areas. It sets out the vision for Belfast as well as the
site-planningexternal-spaceurban-designRejection of Poor Design
2.2.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The SPPS states that poor design should be rejected, particularly proposals that are inappropriate to their context, including schemes that are clearly out of scale, or incompatible with their surroun
site-planningexternal-spaceurban-designPolicy Framework for Urban Design and Placemaking
Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Policy DES1 Principles of Urban Design sits below overarching Strategic Policies in particular SP5 Positive Placemaking and its consideration alongside a range of accompanying topic based policies wit
site-planningplacemakingurban-designTen Characteristics of Successful Places
3.1.4Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
1. Visionary – clarity of purpose and direction 2. Collaborative – shared in use, management and planning 3. Contextual – the right fit that reinforces a sense of place 4. Responsible – resource effic
site-planningplacemakingurban-designDeveloper Responsibility for Creating Liveable Places
3.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
There is a responsibility within the development process to facilitate changes, whether big or small, that create responsible, resource efficient and liveable places. Effective use of spaces, local fe
site-planningplacemakingurban-designHigh Design Quality Standards for Development
3.1.7Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
It is important that new development is of high design quality which is both achievable and sustainable and helps create places where people want to live, work, and socialise. The policies within the
site-planningplacemakingurban-designUnderstanding Built and Natural Context for Good Placemaking
3.1.8Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Variations in character throughout the city, which can result in an eclectic mix of physical characteristics and architectural styles, offer visually unique experiences. The purpose of this section is
site-planningplacemakingurban-designconservationCity Centre Context and Character
3.1.10Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Today Belfast city centre is distinct and identifiable lying to the west of the River Lagan and bounded by major roads to the west and north (the Westlink and M3). The southern part of the city centre
site-planningurban-designconservationpublic-buildingCity Corridors - Role and Function
3.1.11Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The city centre is linked to the suburbs by a number of city corridors (arterial routes). These city corridors not only play an important role in connecting the residential areas of the surrounding su
site-planningurban-designpublic-realmCity Corridors - Reconnecting Divided Communities
3.1.12Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
However not all city corridors are as highly connected as others, many such as Shankill, Crumlin and Falls Road have developed as boundaries between communities. The approach to development along such
site-planningurban-designpublic-realmcommunityHigh quality design and placemaking fundamentals
4.1.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
High quality design is fundamental to delivering positive placemaking. Well-designed places will aim to make meaningful connections with their immediate and wider context to create places that benefit
site-planningurban-designContext-sensitive development
4.1.3Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Any new development should improve on the existing situation, and at the same time be sensitive to its context. An understanding of the context, history and cultural characteristics of an area and its
site-planningurban-designPolicy DES1: Principles of urban design - local context and character
DES1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Planning permission will be granted for new development that is of a quality, sustainable design that makes a positive contribution to placemaking by: (a) Responding positively to local context and ch
site-planningurban-designInitial Contextual Studies - Purpose and Timing
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
It is essential that a scheme can communicate its understanding of context clearly and simply. Initial contextual studies demonstrating site analysis, context review and the appropriate response, shou
site-planningurban-designComponents of Initial Contextual Studies - Built Form Analysis
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Analysis of the built form of an area, including, height, scale, massing, proportion, plot width, building lines, rhythm, roofscape, materials and the impact on the built and natural heritage.
site-planningurban-designconservationComponents of Initial Contextual Studies - Natural Form Assessment
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
An assessment of the natural form of an area, its geography and environmental conditions, topography, proximity to flood zones and landscape features such as tree coverage.
site-planningurban-designcoastalComponents of Initial Contextual Studies - Movement and Accessibility
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Reviewing the levels of movement and accessibility of an area; walkability, ease of access to cycle lanes and public transport connections as well as traffic flows, parking availability and areas of p
site-planningaccessurban-designComponents of Initial Contextual Studies - Mix of Uses and Activities
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Understanding the mix of uses, daily activities and patterns within the area; residential, commercial, retail, community facilities, leisure/ social venues, open/public spaces and hours of operation (
site-planningurban-designComponents of Initial Contextual Studies - Socio-Economic Characteristics
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Cognisance of socio/economic characteristics such as surrounding demographics, vacancy levels, housing need, crime statistics etc. which while not always visible, will play a key role in the design an
site-planningurban-designProportionality of Contextual Analysis Detail
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
An understanding and awareness of these factors and the conclusions arising from this analysis work start to create opportunities within the design process. The detail of contextual analysis should be
site-planningurban-designAvoiding cul-de-sacs and promoting connectivity
4.1.13Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
It is important to point out that there will be areas within the city that lack a sense of place and local distinctiveness due to poor layouts and design that inhibit permeability and inclusivity. In
site-planningurban-designUsing historical research to inform placemaking
4.1.14Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Historical research can positively inform placemaking, especially within areas of the historic environment where local characteristics have been lost and the opportunity exists to reinstate qualities
conservationurban-designBuilt Form Characteristics and Local Distinctiveness
Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Diagrams illustrate characteristics within the built form, which may include a distinct rhythm of bays or variation in plot widths. The consistency of these characteristics can help to create a sense
site-planningurban-designScale of Development in Local Context
Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The scale of development should be influenced by existing context. At a local level this may be well established and relatively consistent, however within a larger urban area the scale of development
site-planningurban-designFitzroy Avenue Social Housing Case Study
CASE STUDY 3Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Shortlisted for RSUA Design Awards 2019, this project reflects a new focus by local housing associations on design quality. The scheme retained an existing red brick façade with new floorspace above a
dwellingsocial-housingconservationplacemakingurban-designtownscape-characterNatural surveillance through design features
Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Natural surveillance can be enhanced by providing additional opportunities for eyes on the street. Balconies and higher density living can encourage this when designed appropriately. Inclusive design
placemakingurban-designpublic-realmresidentialsafetyaccessexternal-spacePassive surveillance through mixed-use frontages
Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Residential scheme recently constructed on the Ormeau Road includes a range of windows and recessed terraces which together with the GF retail units enhance passive surveillance.
placemakingurban-designresidentialcommercialpublic-realmsafetyResidential Density Examples and Range
Image 36Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
A heatmap of densities across Belfast ranging from 12 dwellings per hectare (du/ha) at Deramore Park to Palestine Street in the Holylands where densities of around 128 du/ha are not uncommon. This dis
dwellingsite-planningurban-designPlant facilities
4.11.9Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Where additional ancillary facilities and servicing are required to be located at roof level, such as lift/ stair over runs and air handling equipment etc, their siting and design need to be considere
placemakingurban-designrooftopexternal-appearancesite-planning