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Edition 2 Release and SPPS (2015) Revocation
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
This publication marks the release of Edition 2 of the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) and follows the conclusion of a focused review of the former SPPS (2015) on the subject of renewable a
energyrenewablePPS 18: Renewable Energy Cancellation
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Planning Policy Statement 18: Renewable Energy (August 2009) is now cancelled. Its provisions shall cease to have effect and shall not be considered material from the date of this publication. However
energyrenewableMaterial 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-planningdesignresidentialcommercialenergyIntegration of sustainable development into planning decisions
3.3NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
For the planning system furthering sustainable development in the long term public interest requires the integration and balancing of complex social, economic and environmental factors when plan-makin
site-planningenergyClimate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy
3.10, 3.11, 3.12NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
A central challenge in furthering sustainable development is mitigating and adapting to climate change, whilst improving air quality. This includes the need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases tha
energysite-planningPlanning System Requirements for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
3.13NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The planning system should therefore help to mitigate and adapt to climate change by: • shaping new and existing developments in ways that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and positively build communit
energysite-planningcoastaldwellingcommercialindustrialEnvironmental and amenity considerations for residential and work environments
4.11NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
There are a wide range of environment and amenity considerations, including noise and air quality, which should be taken into account by planning authorities when proposing policies or managing develo
soundenergysite-planningDesign Definition and Scope
4.24NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Design involves shaping how all elements of the built and natural environment relate to each other through the construction of new buildings, restoration and redevelopment of historic buildings, creat
site-planningenergyexternal-spaceDesign Concept for New Housing Development
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
A design concept should be sought from and agreed with the developer incorporating sustainable elements such as good linkage of housing with schools, community facilities and public transport; provisi
dwellingtopic-site-planningenergydrainageRenewable and Low Carbon Energy Overview
6.214NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Northern Ireland has significant renewable energy resources and a vibrant renewable and low carbon energy industry. It continues to make an important contribution towards furthering sustainable develo
energyrenewable-energyEnergy Strategy Path to Net Zero and Renewable Targets
6.215NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The Energy Strategy 'Path to Net Zero Energy' (published 20 January 2022) recognises that Northern Ireland must take advantage of our natural resources to generate clean energy. It sets out a target t
energyrenewable-energyClimate Change Act 2022 and Net Zero Emissions Duty
6.216NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The renewable electricity consumption target of 70% by 2030 was increased to 80% by 2030 by the Climate Change (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (enacted 6 June 2022). The Act also places a duty on departme
energyrenewable-energyRenewable Energy Development Benefits
6.217NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
As supported by the Energy Strategy and the Regional Development Strategy 2035 (RDS), renewable and low carbon energy development here reduces our dependence on imported fossil fuels and brings divers
energyrenewable-energyTypes of Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Technologies
6.218NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Whilst the technologies in this policy area continue to emerge and advance, the main sources of renewable and low carbon energy are wind, sun (solar photovoltaic/thermal energy), moving water (hydropo
energyrenewable-energySPPS Aim for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy
6.219NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The aim of the SPPS for this subject policy is to maximise sustainable renewable and low carbon energy from a wide range of technologies, at various scales, in appropriate locations within the built a
energyrenewable-energyRegional Strategic Objectives for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy
6.220NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The regional strategic objectives are to: • ensure that sustainable renewable and low carbon energy development is facilitated at appropriate locations in order to increase the contribution to the tra
energyrenewable-energynet-zeroheritagelandscapeenvironmental-assessmentRegional Strategic Policy for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Development
6.221NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In plan-making and decision-taking, planning authorities must give appropriate weight to climate considerations (including the target to generate 80% of electricity consumption from renewable sources
energyrenewable-energynet-zerobiodiversitysite-planningLocal Development Plan Policies for Renewable Energy Targets
6.222NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Councils must set out policies and proposals in their LDPs to enable the plan area's optimum contribution to achieving the renewable energy targets to be realised. LDPs should support a diverse range
energyrenewable-energysite-planningmicro-generationPermission Criteria for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Development
6.223NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
All renewable and low carbon energy development, any associated buildings, and supporting infrastructure will be permitted where the proposal will not result in an unacceptable adverse impact (alone o
energyrenewable-energyenvironmental-assessmentcumulative-impactWind Farm Separation Distances
6.227NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
For wind farm development55 separation distances will be assessed on a case-by-case basis with a minimum separation distance to occupied property not less than 500m, generally applying. A case-by-case
energysite-planningSolar Farm Development
6.228NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Planning authorities should facilitate suitable solar farms in appropriate countryside locations. Solar farms which are well planned and well screened can have an acceptable visual impact if located s
energysite-planningAnaerobic Digestion Plants
6.229NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Well designed and appropriately located anaerobic digestion (AD) plants can make a positive contribution to optimising the potential for renewable and low carbon energy and should be located as close
energysite-planningruralLife Extension and Re-powering of Renewable Energy Development
6.230NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Whilst advancements and changes in technology may mean schemes are not like for like, life extension and re-powering of existing development has the potential to maintain or enhance installed renewabl
energysite-planningCo-location of Renewable and Low Carbon Technologies
6.231NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Co-location of renewable and low carbon technologies and supporting infrastructure has potential benefits and should be facilitated, where appropriate. Furthermore, councils, developers, and other sta
energysite-planningMicro-generation Energy
6.232NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In plan-making and decision-taking, planning authorities should encourage and support the appropriate use of micro-generation energy, including the retrofitting of renewable and low carbon energy tech
energyLandscape and Visual Impact Assessment for Energy Development
6.233NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The ability of the landscape to accommodate development depends on careful siting, the skill of the designer and the inherent characteristics of the landscape such as landform, ridges, hills, valleys,
energysite-planningEmerging renewable energy technologies and battery energy storage systems
6.235NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Where appropriate, planning authorities should give due consideration to the use of suitable emerging technologies that can assist with enhancing the renewable energy potential of a development (for e
renewable-energyemerging-technologyhydrogenheat-networksgeothermalbattery-storagebessenergyEnvironmental legislation compliance for renewable and low carbon energy
6.237NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
For all development, applicants, operators, planning authorities and statutory consultees will be bound by environmental legislation requirements such as The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regu
energyenvironmental-assessmentPeatland protection as material consideration
6.237NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Active peatland, for example, is of particular importance for its biodiversity, water, carbon capture and storage qualities which will be important material considerations which should be given signif
energyconservationenvironmental-assessmentUnderground power line connections for renewable energy
6.238NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Proposals for renewable and low carbon energy development are likely to require a connection to the electricity network. Where possible and appropriate, any new power line connections associated with
energysite-planningDecommissioning and site restoration requirements
6.239NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Applicants will be required to provide details on future decommissioning, including proposals for site restoration. Planning authorities must consider and make use of suitable planning conditions (or
energyCoordination for offshore renewable energy onshore development
6.240NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Where there is necessary onshore development associated with offshore renewable energy proposals, it is important for both terrestrial and marine planning authorities to work together. Great care must
energycoastal