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Supporting sustainable economic growth
4.18, 4.19NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
A modern, efficient and effective planning system is essential to supporting the Executive, and wider government policy, in its efforts to promote long term economic growth in the interests of all the
non-domesticcommercialsite-planningControl 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-safetyFarm Diversification Schemes
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Farm diversification: provision should be made for a farm diversification scheme where the farm business is currently active and established (for a minimum 6 years) and, the proposal is to be run in c
non-domesticruralAgriculture and Forestry Development
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Agriculture and forestry development: provision should be made for development on an active and established (for a minimum 6 years) agricultural holding or forestry enterprise where the proposal is ne
non-domesticruralConversion and Re-use of Existing Buildings in Countryside
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The conversion and re-use of existing buildings for non-residential use: provision should be made for the sympathetic conversion and re-use of a suitable locally important building of special characte
non-domesticruralEconomic Development Policy Context and Strategic Framework
6.79-6.81NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Growing a sustainable economy and investing in the future is a key strategic priority of the Northern Ireland Executive. Long term economic growth will be achieved by improving competitiveness and bui
non-domesticcommercialindustrialsite-planningRegional Strategic Objectives for Economic Development
6.82NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The regional strategic objectives for facilitating economic development through the planning system are to: • promote sustainable economic development in an environmentally sensitive manner; • tackle
non-domesticcommercialindustrialruralsite-planningEconomic Development in Larger Settlements
6.84, 6.85NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Within larger settlements such as cities and towns, planning decisions must, to a large extent, be informed by the provisions made for economic development through the LDP process. In these larger se
economic-developmenttown-centrecommercialnon-domesticsite-planningIncompatibility Between Economic Development and Other Uses
6.90NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Some proposed developments may be incompatible with nearby economic development enterprises, either already operating, or approved. For example, activities giving rise to emissions such as dust, odour
economic-developmentindustrialnon-domesticnuisanceenvironmental-impactAssessment 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-impactMonitoring Economic Development Land Take-Up and Loss
6.93NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
A system to monitor the take up and loss of land allocated for economic development purposes as well as ongoing assessment of future requirements and trends will help to identify any shortfalls that m
site-planningnon-domesticcommercialindustrialPreviously Developed Land for Economic Development
6.93NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Where appropriate, LDPs should identify previously developed land within settlements for potential economic development use. This will serve to return vacant or underused land to productive use and to
site-planningnon-domesticcommercialindustrialMixed Use Development with Economic Uses
6.94NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
LDPs should also identify opportunities for mixed use development, including economic development uses, where this would create synergy and underpin the economic viability of the development as a whol
site-planningnon-domesticcommercialindustrialaccessibilitySpecification of Acceptable Economic Development Types in Zoned Sites
6.95NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Where appropriate, LDPs should specify the type or range of economic development uses that will be acceptable within zoned sites or broader areas of economic development designated by the Plan. Within
site-planningnon-domesticcommercialindustrialSupporting Actions and Key Site Requirements for Economic Development
6.96NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
LDPs should normally contain a number of supporting actions to assist in meeting the needs of business enterprises in ways which are workable and that will ultimately deliver sustainable and high qual
site-planningnon-domesticcommercialindustrialaccessibilityLocal Development Plan guidance for economic development infrastructure
6.97NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The LDP should also provide guidance in terms of key design, layout and landscaping requirements.
non-domesticcommercialindustrialsite-planningPlanning authority approach to sustainable economic development
6.97NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Planning authorities should generally adopt a positive and constructive approach to determining applications for appropriate sustainable economic development informed by the provisions of the LDP, the
non-domesticcommercialindustrialsite-planningPre-application discussion for economic development
6.98NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Issues associated with economic development can be complex; therefore pre-application discussion to highlight and address potential issues at an early stage is encouraged.
non-domesticcommercialindustrialDrainage Assessment thresholds for residential and land-use development
6.114NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
A DA will be required for all development proposals that exceed any of the following thresholds: a residential development comprising of 10 or more dwelling units; a development site in excess of 1 he
dwellingnon-domesticdrainageflood-riskIdentification of Supported Housing Needs
6.147NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The HNA/HMA will identify the range of specific housing needs, including supported housing needs. The HNA/HMA will only relate to that need which cannot be met through a general needs housing solution
dwellingnon-domesticPlanning considerations for sport and outdoor recreational facilities
6.213NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Planning authorities should carefully consider development proposals for all sport and outdoor recreational activities, including facilities ancillary to watersports. Relevant planning considerations
open-spacesite-planningsportnon-domesticTelecommunications network importance and regional strategy
6.242-6.245NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Northern Ireland's core telecommunications network is recognised as world class with high quality communications infrastructure considered essential for sustainable economic growth. This is affirmed b
telecommunicationsutilitiesinfrastructurenon-domesticTelecommunications Development Criteria in Local Development Plans
6.247NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In plan-making councils should bring forward policies and proposals to set out the detailed criteria for consideration of new telecommunications development in their local area which should address im
non-domesticsite-planningPower Lines and Electro Magnetic Fields (EMFs)
6.256, 6.257NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In relation to power lines current government policy is that exposures to power-line Electro Magnet Fields (EMFs) should comply with the 1998 International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protect
site-planningnon-domesticTourism Development Aims and Objectives
6.264–6.266NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
• utilise and develop the tourism potential of settlements by facilitating tourism development of an appropriate nature, location and scale; • sustain a vibrant rural community by supporting tourism d
tourismsite-planningnon-domesticTourism Development in the Countryside
6.267NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In the countryside planning authorities must carefully manage tourism development. This is necessary in the interests of rural amenity, wider sustainability objectives and the long term health of the
tourismruralnon-domesticMajor Tourism Development in Countryside – Exceptional Circumstances
6.268NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Policies or proposals for major tourism development in the countryside may be provided for in exceptional circumstances. Proposals must demonstrate; exceptional benefit to the tourism industry; and su
tourismruralnon-domesticTown Centre First Approach for Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
6.280NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Planning authorities must adopt a town centre first approach for retail and main town centre uses.
non-domesticcommercialsite-planningRetail Need and Capacity Assessment
6.281NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In preparing LDPs councils must undertake an assessment of the need or capacity for retail and other main town centre uses across the plan area. Councils must also prepare town centre health checks an
non-domesticcommercialsite-planningTown Centre and Retailing Strategy in Local Development Plans
6.282NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
LDPs should include a strategy for town centres and retailing, and contain appropriate policies and proposals that must promote town centres first for retail and other main town centre uses.
non-domesticcommercialsite-planningDistrict and Local Centres Strategy
6.283NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Planning authorities should retain and consolidate existing district and local centres as a focus for local everyday shopping, and ensure their role is complementary to the role and function of the to
non-domesticcommercialsite-planningLocal Development Plan Requirements for Centres and Retail
6.284NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
LDPs should also: • define a network and hierarchy of centres - town, district and local centres, acknowledging the role and function of rural centres; • define the spatial extent of town centres and
non-domesticcommercialsite-planningRetail Development in Villages and Small Settlements
6.285NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Policies and proposals for shops in villages and small settlements must be consistent with the aim, objectives and policy approach for town centres and retailing, meet local need (i.e. day-to-day need
non-domesticcommercialsite-planningruralRetail Development Location and Countryside Resistance
6.286NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Retailing will be directed to town centres, and the development of inappropriate retail facilities in the countryside must be resisted. However, as a general
non-domesticcommercialsite-planningruralImpact Assessment Criteria for Retail and Town Centre Development
6.298NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Where an impact on one or more of these criteria is considered significantly adverse or where in balancing the overall impacts of each of the criteria the proposed development is judged to be harmful,
non-domesticcommercialtopic-site-planningGeneral Planning Assessment for Retail Development
6.299NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
In order to ensure high quality and otherwise satisfactory forms of development all applications for retail development or main town centre type uses will also be assessed in accordance with normal pl
non-domesticcommercialaccesstopic-site-planningTransportation and Sustainable Development
6.300NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The successful integration of transport and land use is fundamental to the objective of furthering sustainable development. Planning has a vital contributing role for improving connectivity and promot
site-planningnon-domesticdwellingLand Use Allocations and Transport Infrastructure Requirements
6.308NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Land Use Allocations and Associated Transport Infrastructure: Reducing the need for motorised travel can be achieved through allocating sites for housing development in proximity to existing or planne
site-planningdwellingcommercialnon-domesticWalking and Cycling Infrastructure and Public Transport Phasing
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
include walking and cycling infrastructure, or phasing of development so as to tie in with planned improvement of public transport.
site-planningtopic-accessnon-domesticCar Parking Strategy
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
LDPs should identify existing and any proposed town centre car parks. As part of preparing an overall car parking strategy, councils should bring forward local policies to ensure adequate provision fo
site-planningaccessibilitynon-domesticWaste Management - Strategic Importance
6.313NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Sustainable waste management is essential for the health and well-being of society, and our quality of life. The waste management industry is an important provider of jobs and investment across the re
site-planningnon-domesticAim of SPPS on Waste Management
6.316NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The provision of waste facilities and infrastructure can make a valuable contribution towards sustainable development. The aim of the SPPS in relation to waste management is to support wider governmen
site-planningnon-domesticRegional Strategic Objectives for Waste Management
6.317NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The regional strategic objectives for waste management are to: promote development of waste management and recycling facilities in appropriate locations; ensure that detrimental effects on people, the
site-planningnon-domesticIntensive Sports Facilities
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
An 'intensive sport facility', for the purpose of this SPPS, is defined as a purpose built indoor or outdoor resource which facilitates one or more activity fundamental to maintaining individual healt
non-domesticpublic-buildingMinor Development (Flood Risk)
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
Non-residential extensions (industrial/commercial/leisure etc) with a footprint less than 150 sq metres. Alterations: development that does not increase the size of buildings, e.g. alterations to exte
dwellingnon-domesticcommercialindustrialImproving Air Quality through Planning
NI-wide·SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)
The planning system can also positively contribute to the improvement of air quality and in minimising its harmful impacts on health and well-being. In 2007 it was estimated that poor air quality redu
site-planningnon-domesticindustrial