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Natural and heritage assets for health and well-being
4.10NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The natural and heritage assets of the countryside and coast need to be recognised for the contribution they make to enhancing human health and well-being. Conserving and, where possible, enhancing th
coastalruralconservationexternal-spaceaccessDesign as a Material Consideration
4.26NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Design is an important material consideration in the assessment of all proposals and good design should be the aim of all those involved in the planning process and must be encouraged across the regio
designconservationheritagedwellingresidentialAvoiding Arbitrary Architectural Taste
4.29NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Planning authorities should not attempt to impose a particular architectural taste or style arbitrarily. It is, however, proper to seek to promote or reinforce local distinctiveness, and this should b
designconservationEnvironmental Management and Sustainable Development
4.38NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Our environment must therefore be managed in a sustainable manner in accordance with the Executive's commitment to preserve and improve the built and natural environment and halt the loss of biodivers
conservationsite-planningPreservation of Landscape and Biodiversity for Future Generations
4.39NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
It must also be recognised that the importance of the environment however goes far beyond the immediate benefits it can provide. Safeguarding our unique landscape (including heritage assets) and biolo
conservationMatters to Consider When Preparing Local Development Plans
5.16NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In preparing LDPs councils must take account of the RDS 2035, the Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland, the SPPS and any other policies or advice in guidance issued by the Department
site-planningconservationWorld Heritage Sites Protection
6.6NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Development that would adversely affect the Outstanding Universal Value of a
site-planningconservationListed Buildings - General Principles
6.12NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Listed buildings8 of special architectural or historic interest are key elements of our built heritage and are often important for their intrinsic value and for their contribution to the character and
heritagelisted-buildingconservationChange of Use and Alteration of Listed Buildings
6.13NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Development involving a change of use and/or works of extension/alteration may be permitted, particularly where this will secure the ongoing viability and upkeep of the building. It is important that
heritagelisted-buildingconservationAdvertisements and Signs on Listed Buildings
6.14NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Consent for the display of advertisements or signs on a listed building should only be forthcoming where these are carefully designed and located to respect the architectural form and detailing of the
heritagelisted-buildingconservationDemolition of Listed Buildings
6.15NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Proposals for the total demolition of a listed building or any significant part of it must not be permitted unless there are exceptional reasons why it cannot be retained in its original or a reasonab
heritagelisted-buildingconservationHistoric Parks, Gardens and Demesnes - General Principles
6.16NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Planning permission should not be granted for development that would lead to the loss of, or cause harm to, the overall character, principal components or setting of historic parks, gardens and demesn
heritagehistoric-parkgardendemesneconservationexternal-spaceAssessment of Development in or Adjacent to Historic Parks, Gardens and Demesnes
6.17NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In assessing applications for development in or adjacent to historic parks, gardens and demesnes, particular account should be taken of the impact of the proposal on the archaeological, historical or
heritagehistoric-parkgardendemesneconservationexternal-spaceConservation Areas - Development Management Principle
6.18NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In managing development within a designated Conservation Area the guiding principle is to afford special regard to the desirability of enhancing its character or appearance where an opportunity to do
conservationsite-planningConservation Areas - Development Requirements
6.19NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In the interests of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of a Conservation Area, development proposals should: be sympathetic to the characteristic built form of the area; respect the c
conservationsite-planningConservation Areas - Advertisement Display
6.20NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Consent for the display of advertisements in or close to a Conservation Area should only be granted where they would not adversely affect the overall character, appearance or setting of the area.
conservationsite-planningAreas of Townscape Character - Development Management
6.21NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In managing development within ATCs designated through the LDPs process, the council should only permit new development where this will maintain or enhance the overall character of the area and respec
conservationsite-planningAreas of Townscape Character - Demolition of Unlisted Buildings
6.22NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The demolition of an unlisted building in an ATC should only be permitted where the building makes no material contribution to the distinctive character of the area and subject to appropriate arrangem
conservationsite-planningAreas of Townscape Character - Advertisement Display
6.23NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Consent for the display of an advertisement in an ATC should only be granted
conservationsite-planningNon-Designated Heritage Assets
6.24NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The effect of an application on the significance of a non-designated heritage asset such as an unlisted vernacular building, or historic building of local importance should be taken into account in de
conservationsite-planningEnabling Development
6.25NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Enabling development is a development proposal that is contrary to established planning policy and in its own right would not be permitted. Such a proposal may however be allowed where it will secure
conservationsite-planningJustification for Enabling Development
6.26NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The justification for allowing the enabling development lies in the over-riding public benefit to the conservation of the significant place and its sustainable future use which would be derived from t
conservationsite-planningLocal Plan Policy Flexibility for Heritage Conservation
6.27NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Within this context councils may bring forward local plan policies to provide the flexibility to accommodate such unforeseen imaginative proposals which are clearly in the public interest.
conservationsite-planningImplementation through Development Management
6.28NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The potential for loss or damage to archaeological sites and the built heritage as a result of unsympathetic development is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications and t
conservationsite-planningLocal Development Plan Requirements for Heritage Assets
6.29NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The LDP, should identify the main built and archaeological heritage features, where they exist within the plan area (as detailed below), and bring forward appropriate policies or proposals for their p
conservationsite-planningWorld Heritage Sites (WHS) - Strategic Planning Policy
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
World Heritage Sites (WHS): WHSs are designated under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention of 1972 on the basis of their acknowledged 'Outstanding Universal Value'. The Giant's Causeway and Causeway C
site-planningconservationcoastalArchaeological Sites and Monuments - Designation and Protection
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Archaeological Sites and Monuments: Monuments in State Care and scheduled monuments and all other sites and monuments located within the plan area. Where appropriate, LDPs should designate Areas of Si
site-planningconservationAreas of Archaeological Potential
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
LDPs should also highlight, for the information of prospective developers, those areas within settlement limits, where, on the basis of current knowledge, it is likely that archaeological remains will
site-planningconservationListed Buildings - Designation and Context
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Listed Buildings: These are designated by the Department as being of 'special architectural or historic interest' under Section 80 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. Whilst it may be impract
site-planningconservationHistoric Parks, Gardens and Demesnes
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Historic Parks, Gardens and Demesnes: A Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of special historic interest in Northern Ireland, based on a comprehensive inventory, is held by the Department. There a
site-planningconservationexternal-spaceHistoric Parks, Gardens and Demesnes
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Councils should identify historic parks, gardens and demesnes along with their settings through the LDP, having regard to the register and supplementary lists; and bring forward local policies or prop
conservationsite-planningConservation Areas
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Existing conservation areas have been designated by the Department under the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 199116. These are areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character and
conservationsite-planningAreas of Townscape or Village Character
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Many areas within settlements do not have the distinctive character to warrant conservation area designation. However, because of their own unique identity, it may be appropriate to identify and defin
conservationsite-planningLocal Landscape Policy Areas (LLPAs)
6.30NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
These consist of those features and areas within and adjoining settlements considered to be of greatest amenity value, landscape quality or local significance and therefore worthy of protection from u
conservationsite-planningopen-spaceexternal-spaceCoastal Development - Overview and Value
6.31NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Northern Ireland is valued for its beautiful and relatively unspoilt coast including well known features such as the Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast, Benone Strand, Antrim Coast Road, Strangford L
coastalconservationCoastal Protection and Climate Change Adaptation
6.33NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The RDS recognises that coastal areas need to be protected from coastal squeeze, to safeguard against loss of distinctive habitats, and to help adaptation to climate change, and accordingly states the
coastalconservationProtection of amenity and heritage areas on developed coast
6.39NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Within the developed coast, areas of amenity value (such as parks, outdoor sports/play areas and coastal walkways) and areas or features designated for their importance to the archaeological, built or
coastalsite-planningconservationAdvertisement Control and Amenity Protection
6.58NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Where appropriate councils should bring forward appropriate policies within local development plans (LDPs) for the control of outdoor advertisements, tailored to local circumstances. Local policies ma
site-planningconservationPrevention of Advertisement Clutter and Heritage Protection
6.59NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Care must be taken to ensure that all proposals will not detract from the place where advertising is to be displayed or its surroundings. In particular, it is important to prevent clutter, to adequate
site-planningconservationexternal-spaceRural and Heritage Landscape Protection from Advertising
6.60NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Particular care is also necessary to ensure that advertisements do not detract from the unique qualities and amenity of our countryside nor diminish our archaeology and built heritage.
site-planningruralconservationSpecial Countryside Areas and Exceptional Landscapes
6.75NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Some areas of the countryside exhibit exceptional landscapes, such as mountains, stretches of the coast or lough shores, and certain views or vistas, wherein the quality of the landscape and unique am
ruralcoastalconservationLDP Process and Environmental Evidence Base for Countryside Development
6.76NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The LDP process will play an important role for councils in identifying key features and assets of the countryside and balancing the needs of rural areas and communities with the protection of the env
ruralsite-planningconservationStrategic Policy for Minerals Development
6.153–6.154NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The following strategic policy must be taken into account in the preparation of local development plans (LDPs) and in the determination of planning applications. The policy approach for minerals deve
site-planningconservationLocal Development Plan Policies for Minerals Development
6.155NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In preparing LDPs councils should bring forward appropriate policies and proposals that must reflect the policy approach of the SPPS, tailored to the specific circumstances of the plan area. In partic
site-planningconservationopen-spaceEconomically Valuable Minerals and Unconventional Hydrocarbons
6.157NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
From time to time minerals may be discovered which are particularly valuable to the economy. Their exploitation may create environmental effects which are particular to the methods of extraction or tr
site-planningconservationMinerals Development Adjacent to Constrained Areas
6.158NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Minerals development within or in close proximity to an area that has been
site-planningconservationNatural Heritage Overview and Strategic Context
6.168-6.171NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Northern Ireland is a region of dramatic landscape contrasts and subtle transitions. The inherent diversity of the underlying rocks, landforms and soils has been augmented by centuries of settlement a
conservationbiodiversityRegional Strategic Objectives for Natural Heritage
6.172NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The regional strategic objectives for natural heritage are to: • protect, conserve, enhance and restore the abundance, quality, diversity and distinctiveness of the region's natural heritage; • furthe
conservationbiodiversitysite-planningruralsustainabilityProtected Species - General Requirement
6.179NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The presence or potential presence of a legally protected species is an important consideration in decision-making. If there is evidence to suggest that a protected species is present on site or may b
site-planningconservationEuropean Protected Species - Permission Criteria
6.180NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Planning permission will only be granted for a development proposal that is not likely to harm a European protected species45. In exceptional circumstances a development proposal that is likely to har
conservation