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Overview and Scope of SPG012
1.1.1Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
This Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) provides advice and guidance specific to sensitive uses including Restaurants, Cafés, Hot Food Takeaways, Bookmaking Offices, Amusement Centres, Pubs and Nig
non-domesticcommercialStatus and Relationship to Planning Policy Framework
1.1.2, 1.1.3Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
SPG represents non-statutory planning guidance that supports, clarifies and/or illustrates, by example, policies included within the current planning policy framework, including development plans and
commercialnon-domesticAssessment Criteria for Sensitive Uses
1.1.4Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
When considering applications for restaurants, cafés, hot food takeaways, bookmaking offices, amusement centres, pubs and nightclubs, the council will consider their proper location (for example, avoi
commercialnon-domesticDefinition of Sensitive Uses and Associated Impacts
1.1.5Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
As indicated above, restaurants, cafés, hot food takeaways, bookmaking offices, amusement centres, pubs and nightclubs are considered sensitive uses in terms of their location and the associated poten
commercialnon-domesticRegional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035
2.1.1Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) is the regional spatial strategy and provides a strategic and long term vision on the future development of Northern Ireland up to 2035. It contains regional gu
site-planningRDS Health and Well-being Aims
2.1.2Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
One of the key aims of the RDS is to promote development which improves the health and well-being of communities. Improved health and well-being is derived not only from easy access to appropriate ser
site-planningStrategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) for Northern Ireland (2015)
2.1.3Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) sets out regional planning policies for securing the orderly and consistent development of land in Northern Ireland under the reformed two-tier planning
site-planningSPPS Planning System Role in Health and Well-being
2.1.4Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The SPPS states that the planning system has an active role to play in helping to better the lives of people and communities in Northern Ireland and in supporting the Executive's key priority of impro
site-planningSPPS Contribution to Health and Well-being through Planning
2.1.5Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The SPPS goes on to state that when plan-making and decision-taking planning authorities should contribute positively to health and well-being through supporting broader government policy aimed at add
site-planningSPPS Centres Hierarchy and Role
2.1.6Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
With regards to the locations of the uses specified within this document, the SPPS identifies the need to enhance the distinctive role of Belfast City Centre as the primary retail function in Northern
site-planningcommercialPlan Strategy Framework
2.2.1Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The Plan Strategy provides the strategic policy framework for the plan area as a whole across a range of topics. It sets out the vision for Belfast as well as the objectives and strategic policies req
site-planningLocal Policies Plan
2.2.2Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Once adopted, the Local Policies Plan will set out site-specific proposals in relation to the development and use of land in Belfast. It will contain local policies, designations and land use zonings
site-planningBelfast Agenda Community Plan
2.3.1, 2.3.2Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The Belfast Agenda is Belfast's first Community Plan and was launched on 9 November 2018. It was created by a partnership of key city partners, residents and community organisations. It's about making
site-planningSensitive Uses SPG and Policy ENV1
2.3.3Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
This SPG is inter-related with Policy ENV1: Environmental Quality of the Plan Strategy. It provides guidances on several uses which are considered sensitive in terms of their potential impacts.
site-planningStatutory Nuisance versus Amenity Impact
2.3.4Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
There is difference between statutory nusance and impact upon amenity. A statutory nuisance is something that, under Environmental Protection legislation, affects a person's health or causes disturban
site-planningPolicy SP3 – Improving health and wellbeing
Policy SP3Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The council will support development that maximises opportunities to improve health and wellbeing. Development will not be permitted where it will result in significant harm to life, human health or w
non-domesticdwellingpublic-buildingPolicy DES1 – Principles of urban design (selected provisions)
Policy DES1Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
f. Promoting a diversity of land uses that provide active frontages and ensure vibrancy throughout the day; h. Promoting healthy environments and sustainable development that support and encourage wal
non-domesticsite-planningaccessexternal-spacePolicy ENV1 - Environmental Quality
Policy ENV1Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Development proposals must not result in an unacceptable adverse impact on the environment, including the following considerations: • Air quality; and • Noise
non-domesticdwellingcommercialindustrialpublic-buildingDefinition of Restaurants and Cafés
3.1.1Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The primary function of restaurants and cafés is the sale of hot food and drinks for consumption on the premises. Although commercial in nature, restaurants and cafés do not fall within any use class
commercialnon-domesticsite-planningImpact of Restaurants and Cafés on Town Centres
3.1.2Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Where restaurants and cafés occupy a disproportionately high percentage of shopping frontages, they can reduce the vitality and viability of centres, increase litter and cause other amenity issues suc
commercialnon-domesticsite-planningDefinition of Hot Food Takeaway
3.2.1Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
A hot food takeaway is an establishment, the primary function of which is the sale of hot food for consumption off the premises. Although commercial in nature, hot food takeaways do not fall within an
commercialnon-domesticsite-planningExamples and Change of Use Requirements for Hot Food Takeaways
3.2.2Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Examples of hot food takeaways include kebab shops, pizza shops and Chinese takeaway shops; however cafes and restaurants often have an ancillary takeaway element. Where the takeaway element of a prem
commercialnon-domesticsite-planningImpact of Hot Food Takeaways on Town Centres
3.2.3Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Where takeaways occupy a disproportionately high percentage of shopping frontages, they can reduce the vitality and viability of centres, discourage shoppers, increase litter and cause other amenity i
commercialnon-domesticsite-planningHealth and obesity concerns related to hot food takeaways
3.2.4Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
In recent years, concern has been growing regionally and locally about the rising levels of obesity in both children and adults. The rapid expansion of the fast food industry over recent decades has h
non-domesticpublic-buildingsite-planningPlanning issues for restaurants, cafés and hot food takeaways
3.3.1 to 3.3.4Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Restaurants, cafés and hot food takeaways raise a number of planning issues, and applicants should consider the guidance provided in relation to these issues at the earliest opportunity when submittin
non-domesticcommercialsite-planningLocation within District Centres, Local Centres and along Arterial Routes
3.4.1Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The vitality and viability of centres is affected by the balance of uses within them. This needs to be appropriately managed to ensure centres remain attractive locations for shoppers, with the primar
non-domesticcommercialsite-planningCouncil recognition of food and beverage uses in centres
3.4.2Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The council recognises that restaurants, cafés and hot food takeaways make a contribution to the local economy and can be important to local communities, especially when they are part of a balanced mi
commercialnon-domesticsite-planningSurvey of hot food bars in Belfast
3.4.3Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
A survey was undertaken in 2020 to show the locations of Hot food bars within Belfast LGD (Appendix 1). This has been informed by a number of information sources including planning permissions, web-ba
commercialnon-domesticsite-planningAssessment factors for food and beverage development applications
3.4.4Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
When dealing with applications relating to new buildings, or the change of use of retail/non-retail premises to restaurants, cafés or hot food takeaways in district and local centres, a number of fact
commercialnon-domesticsite-planningHot food takeaway support in district and local centres
3.4.5Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Hot food takeaways will not be supported in district and local centres where the cumulative impact of introducing the facility would be detrimental to the vitality and viability of a centre and would
commercialtown-centreplanningCriteria for harmful hot food takeaway impacts
3.4.6Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
A hot food takeaway will be considered to be harmful to the vitality and viability of a centre if it: • Increases the concentration of hot food takeaway ground floor frontages in a district or local c
commercialtown-centreplanningException for Belfast City Centre
3.4.7Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
An exception to the above is Belfast City Centre, as a key role of this centre is to serve the night time economy. In the city centre, hot food takeaway applications will be considered based on an ass
commercialbelfast-city-centreplanningHigh vacancy level requirements for hot food takeaways
3.4.8Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
In centres where vacancy levels are more than 10%, the council will wish to see evidence that attempts have been made to fill the unit with a district or local centre use (other than hot food takeaway
commercialtown-centreplanningMarketing requirements for viability assessment
3.4.9Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
A key consideration in the test of viability is the manner in which a premises has been marketed for continued retail use. A marketing statement and supporting evidence will be required in order to de
commercialtown-centreplanningMarketing requirements for hot food takeaway in district/local centres
3.4.11Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The council expects retail premises to be actively marketed for at least 12 months before an application for redevelopment or change of use to a hot food takeaway within a district or local centre can
non-domesticcommercialTwo-stage marketing process
3.4.10Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
There are two stages to this marketing process which applicants should follow: • marketing the re-use of the premises; • marketing the redevelopment of the premises for retail purposes.
non-domesticcommercialMarketing strategy for alternative retail uses
3.4.12Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Where relevant the marketing strategy will also need to consider the potential to refurbish or redevelop the site in part or in whole to meet the requirements of alternative retail uses.
non-domesticcommercialMarketing statement submission
3.4.13Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
A marketing statement should be submitted with the planning application, setting out the details of the marketing strategy that has been undertaken. It should also be noted that where there is an exis
non-domesticcommercialMinimum marketing measures required
3.4.14Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The marketing statement should target potential occupiers with a variety of means. As a minimum, the following measures should be used: • the market price and an indication of this price relative to t
non-domesticcommercialMarketing Requirements for Commercial Property Details
3.4.16Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The property details (particulars) should as a minimum detail: - good quality internal and external photographs; - the type of the property/site; - the size of the property/site; - address and locatio
commercialnon-domesticMarketing Strategy Required Before Hot Food Takeaway Change of Use
3.4.16Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
In all cases, the applicant will firstly be expected to have undertaken a marketing strategy to determine the demand for the premises for retail purposes. Until this has been undertaken, change of use
commercialnon-domesticDesign Requirements for Restaurant, Café or Hot Food Takeaway Frontages
3.4.17Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
In order to avoid restaurants, cafés or hot food takeaways giving the appearance of a 'dead' frontage, and negatively impacting visual amenity, attention should be paid to: • the scale of the proposal
commercialnon-domesticCommercialised Radial Routes and Hot Food Takeaways
3.4.18Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Many urban areas contain commercialised radial routes, which have many similarities with district and local centres, in terms of scale and function and in the variety of shops and local services. In o
non-domesticcommercialsite-planningHot Food Takeaways Near Schools - Policy Context
3.5.1Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Within Belfast, around a quarter of children are either overweight or obese. Addressing obesity in children is a regional priority with a target of 3% reduction of obesity and 2% reduction of overweig
non-domesticcommercialHot Food Takeaways Within 400m of Schools - Opening Hours Restriction
3.5.3Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Where a hot food takeaway is proposed within 400 metres of a primary or secondary school, and the proposal meets planning policy in other respects, planning permission will only be permitted subject t
non-domesticcommercialpublic-buildingException for City Centre and District/Local Centres
3.5.4Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
The only exception to this approach will be where the proposal is within Belfast city centre, or a district or local centre and can demonstrate that the introduction of such a use will meet all other
non-domesticcommercialsite-planningOther Amenity Issues - Restaurants, Cafés and Hot Food Takeaways
3.6.1Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Restaurants, cafés and hot food takeaways are often associated with a broad range of adverse impacts including noise and disturbance, odours, litter, vermin, road safety, traffic generation and anti-s
commercialnoiseNoise and Disturbance - Residential Sensitivity
3.6.2Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Residential areas are likely to be more sensitive to noise disturbance, particularly at times such as the late evening and during the night. Local residents have a legitimate expectation that surround
dwellingnoisemeans-of-escapeSources of Noise from Food and Beverage Uses
3.6.3Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
Noise associated with restaurants, cafés and hot food takeaways can emanate from a variety of sources, the main ones being: vehicles – e.g. deliveries loading/unloading, starting and revving of engine
commercialnoisePlanning Conditions to Mitigate Noise Disturbance
3.6.4Belfast·SPG012 Sensitive Uses
In certain cases, the harmful effects of noise and disturbance from restaurants, cafés and hot food takeaways can be overcome by planning conditions attached to a grant of permission. Conditions desig
commercialnoisesound