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Improving Health and Well-Being
4.3, 4.4NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
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 improving health and well-
site-planningexternal-spaceaccessPlanning Authorities' Contributions to Health and Well-Being
4.5NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Capitalising on the synergies that exist between spatial planning and health and well-being can provide better outcomes. When plan-making and decision-taking planning authorities should contribute pos
site-planningexternal-spaceaccessaccessibilitydwellingGreen infrastructure networks and multifunctional design
4.7NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Networks of green spaces, commonly referred to as green infrastructure, provide a wide range of environmental benefits (in both rural and urban areas) including flood water storage, urban cooling, imp
open-spacedrainageexternal-spaceruralsite-planningenvironmental-protectionProtection and provision of quality open space
4.8NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The protection of existing, and provision of new, quality open space within or close to settlements plays a vital role in promoting healthy living and tackling inequality through facilitating play, sp
open-spaceexternal-spacepublic-buildingPrivate, semi-private and public amenity space in residential development
4.9NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The need for adequate private, semi-private and public amenity space is a prime consideration in all residential development and contributes to mental and physical well-being and the strengthening of
dwellingresidentialexternal-spacehigh-riseNatural 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-spaceaccessShared space and community cohesion
4.13NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The Executive through its "Together: Building a United Community" strategy is committed to addressing all barriers that prevent or interfere with the creation and maintenance of shared space, and ensu
open-spaceexternal-spaceaccessCreating shared communities and connected public spaces
4.15NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Planning authorities should utilise development planning, regeneration and development management powers to contribute to the creation of an environment that: is accessible to all and enhances opportu
public-buildingaccessaccessibilityexternal-spacesite-planningopen-spaceDesign 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-spaceRelationships 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-spaceHistoric 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-spaceHistoric 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-spaceLocal 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-spacePublic access and coastal walkways
6.41NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In considering development proposals within the developed or undeveloped coast attention must be paid to the retention of existing public accesses and coastal walkways. Development which would result
coastalsite-planningexternal-spaceControl of Outdoor Advertisements - Policy Context
6.52NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Advertising is a familiar feature of our environment that can contribute to a vibrant and competitive economy. All advertisements affect the character and appearance of the building or place where the
non-domesticcommercialexternal-spaceLegislative Controls on Advertisements
6.54NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Planning legislation enables planning authorities to restrict or regulate the display of advertisements in the interests of amenity or public safety, including road safety. Furthermore, roads legislat
non-domesticcommercialexternal-spacepublic-safetyAdvertisement Consent and Deemed Consent
6.55NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The consent of the planning authority is required for the display of advertisements. However, certain types of advertisement benefit from 'deemed consent' provided certain conditions are met.
non-domesticcommercialexternal-spaceRegional Strategic Objectives for Advertisement Control
6.56NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The regional strategic objectives for the control of advertisements are to: ensure that outdoor advertisements respect amenity and do not prejudice public safety, including road safety; and help every
non-domesticcommercialexternal-spacepublic-safetyRegional Strategic Policy for Advertisement Display
6.57NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The policy approach for the display of outdoor advertisements that require the consent of the planning authority is to ensure that proposals do not prejudice amenity or public safety, having regard to
non-domesticcommercialexternal-spacepublic-safetyPrevention 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-spaceSustainable Drainage Systems as preferred drainage solution
6.118NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In managing development, particularly in areas susceptible to surface water flooding, planning authorities should encourage developers to use sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) as the preferred drain
drainageflood-riskexternal-spaceBalanced Communities and Community Cohesion
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
balanced communities: achieving balanced communities and strengthening community cohesion is one of the major themes underpinning the RDS. The provision of good quality housing offering a variety of h
dwellingtopic-site-planningaccessexternal-spaceTraveller Accommodation Requirements
6.144NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Travellers have distinctive needs which will be assessed as part of the local HNA/HMA. Where the HNA/HMA identifies a demonstrable need for Travellers specific accommodation, planning permission will
dwellingsite-planningexternal-spaceImplementation - Key Site Requirements and Green/Blue Infrastructure
6.196NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
LDPs should seek to protect and integrate certain features of the natural heritage when zoning sites for development through 'key site requirements'. In addition LDPs should seek to identify and promo
site-planningconservationexternal-spaceopen-spaceImplementation - Landscape Enhancement and Biodiversity Integration
6.197NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
LDPs should also consider the natural and cultural components of the landscape and promote opportunities for the enhancement or restoration of degraded landscapes47, particularly those affecting commu
site-planningconservationexternal-spaceopen-spaceImportance of Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation
6.199NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Government recognises that open space, sport and outdoor recreation is important to society now and in the future. It supports many cultural, social, economic, health and environmental benefits. Every
external-spaceopen-spaceaccessibilityOpen Space Contribution to Urban and Rural Quality
6.200NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Open space, whether or not there is public access to it, is important for its contribution to the quality of urban life by providing important green lungs, visual breaks and wildlife habitats in built
external-spaceopen-spaceconservationRegional Strategic Objectives for Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation
6.201NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The regional strategic objectives for open space, sport and outdoor recreation are to: • safeguard existing open space and sites identified for future such provision; • ensure that areas of open space
external-spaceopen-spaceaccessibilityruralRegional Strategic Policy on Open Space
6.202-6.203NI-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. In plan-making councils should bring f
external-spaceopen-spacesite-planningOpen Space Assessment and Local Development Plan Policy
6.204NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The LDP should be informed by a survey/assessment of existing open space provision and future needs. This should include both public and private open space, and identify the different needs they serve
site-planningexternal-spaceopen-spacePolicy Presumption Against Loss of Open Space
6.205NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
There will be a policy presumption against the loss of open space to competing land uses in local development plans (LDPs) irrespective of its physical condition and appearance. Any exception to this
external-spaceopen-spacesite-planningOpen Space Provision in New Residential Development
6.206NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Councils must bring forward policy to require new residential development of an appropriate scale (generally 25 or more units, or on sites of one hectare and above) to provide adequate and well-design
dwellingexternal-spaceopen-spacesite-planningLocation of Intensive Sports Facilities
6.207NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The precise location of intensive sports facilities can be contentious, and by their very nature and scale can give rise to particularly complex planning considerations such as impact on amenity, and
site-planningexternal-spaceConsiderations for zoning future open space needs
6.210NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Zonings for future needs should take into account the following: accessibility to and from existing and proposed housing areas; the potential for any detrimental impact on biodiversity or on sensitive
open-spacesite-planningaccesscoastalexternal-spaceKey considerations for waste management decision-taking
6.328NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
When decision-taking important considerations will include: the types of waste to be deposited or treated and the proposed method of disposal; impacts on human health and the environment (including en
site-planningdrainageexternal-spaceconservationBlue Infrastructure
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Blue Infrastructure Blue infrastructure includes ponds, streams and lakes (RDS 2035, Strategic Guidance RG11 'Natural Environment').
external-spaceopen-spaceOpen Space
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
For the purposes of the SPPS, open space is taken to mean all open space of public value, including not just land, but also inland bodies of water such as rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs which of
open-spaceexternal-spacesite-planning