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Material Considerations - Departmental Planning Documents
1.12NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
All Departmental planning documents which will continue to be treated as material considerations during the transitional period (or as the case may be after the expiry of the transitional period) are
site-planningdesignresidentialcommercialenergyDesign 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
designconservationheritagedwellingresidentialConsistency with Design Policies and Guidance
4.27NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Where the design of proposed development is consistent with relevant LPD policies and/or supplementary design guidance, planning authorities should not refuse permission on design grounds, unless ther
designsite-planningPre-Application Discussions and Design Review
4.28NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Pre-Application Discussions provide an opportunity for early consideration and engagement on design considerations and will generally produce better outcomes. In addition, the establishment of design
designsite-planningAvoiding 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
designconservationCountryside Development Design Integration
4.30NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
All proposals for development in the countryside must be sited and designed to integrate sympathetically with their surroundings, including the natural topography, and to meet other planning policy an
designruralsite-planningPlace-making definition and collaborative approach
4.32NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Place-making is a people-centred approach to the planning, design and stewardship of new developments and public spaces that seeks to enhance the unique qualities of a place, how these developed over
site-planningdesignQuality design and accessibility in place-making
4.33NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Successful place-making also acknowledges the need for quality, place specific, contextual design, whilst at the same time making responsible use of limited resources. Successful place-making promotes
accessibilitydesignsite-planningRelationships between buildings and spaces
4.34NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Key to successful place-making is the relationship between different buildings; the relationship between buildings and streets, squares, parks, waterways and other spaces; the nature and quality of th
site-planningdesignexternal-spaceUrban or Civic Stewardship
4.35NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Urban or Civic Stewardship is about actively caring for people and places. It encompasses techniques for managing and maintaining space and places, as well as other means by which people and organisat
site-planningdesignUrban stewardship and design guidance application
4.36NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Planning authorities must also ensure that, where relevant, the planning process takes account of the 10 qualities of urban stewardship and design set out in the 'Living Places Urban Stewardship and D
site-planningdesignruralEconomic Development in Villages and Small Settlements
6.86NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Within villages and small settlements, the LDP will not normally zone land for economic development purposes, as this could inhibit flexibility. However, favourable consideration should be given to an
economic-developmentruralvillagedesignsite-planningAssessment Criteria for Economic Development Applications
6.91NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
All applications for economic development must be assessed in accordance with normal planning criteria, relating to such considerations as access arrangements, design, environmental and amenity impact
economic-developmentnon-domesticaccessdesignenvironmental-impactHousing Types, Density and Character in Development Plans
6 (policy guidance)NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
where justified, specify those sites or areas where the development of certain house types or a mix of house types will be required; set density levels for housing sites appropriate to the location of
dwellingsite-planningdesignCommunity Engagement and Case-by-Case Assessment Factors
6.224NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Engaging communities is an essential part of the planning system and community representations are a material planning consideration for planning authorities in plan-making and decision-taking. For al
site-planningaccessdesignPositive approach to sustainable tourism development
6.272NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
A positive approach should be adopted in determining applications for tourism development so long as proposals are sustainable, are in accordance with the LDP, and will result in high quality forms of
tourismdesignconservationcountrysideplanningAssessment criteria for tourism development applications
6.273NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Applications for tourism development will also be assessed in accordance with normal planning criteria such as access arrangements, design, environmental and amenity impacts so as to ensure high quali
tourismcoastalaccessdesignplanning