Every rule your project must meet, found for you.

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

Developers will be required to demonstrate that proposals, having regard to technical and operational constraints, have been sited and designed to minimise visual and environmental impact. Where the d

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

The aim of this policy is to promote high quality shopfront design within the Borough. This aim has taken account of and is consistent with the provisions of the SPPS. Our commercial and shopping area

Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)

When undertaking any building work in the home, it is important to consider how this could affect security. Indeed planning for such works provides an ideal opportunity for householders to review secu

Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)

A knowledge and understanding of the local context and character is necessary in order to achieve high quality, sustainable design that successfully integrates new development with existing built form

Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)

The council will refuse schemes where design is considered to be poor. Examples of poor quality design may include design solutions that are inappropriate to their context, layouts which are not legib

Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)

Local distinctiveness encompasses the unique physical, social and economic characteristics of a place. It encapsulates those elements that set a place apart from others and includes those elements tha

Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)

Shopfronts contribute significantly to the overall character and appearance of an area and therefore require careful consideration to ensure they make a positive contribution to the city's sense of pl

Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)

Proposed development layouts should include a clear and legible structure which demonstrates positive relationships between the built-form, streets and public space with provisions made for private or

Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)

Irrespective of any designations or specific protection, all development should consider how it can conserve and enhance landscape interests, including careful integration of built form with the lands

Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)

All development proposals must be sensitive to the distinctive character of the area and the quality of the landscape, heritage and wildlife, and also be in accordance with other LDP policies. In asse

NI-wide·PPS 16 Tourism

The policy provisions also reflect the importance of design, layout and landscaping in order to achieve high quality development that integrates into the landscape and respects the surrounding rural c

NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements

• high level signs will generally only be appropriate where they relate to the scale and primary use of the host building; • they should be designed to be read as part of the building and should not d

NI-wide·PPS 17 Control of Outdoor Advertisements

• the advertisement of offices in former residential properties should be by means of nameplates made of metal or other suitable materials and should be fixed to the doorway pilaster, or if there is n

NI-wide·PPS 21 Sustainable Development in the Countryside

The form and proportions of a new building are key elements in the design and strongly influence its visual impact on the landscape. If form and proportion are wrong, then little can be done with any

NI-wide·PPS 21 Sustainable Development in the Countryside

The most successful rural designs are those which are based upon simple shapes and forms of traditional buildings. It is however acknowledged that there will also be opportunities for contemporary or

NI-wide·PPS 21 Sustainable Development in the Countryside

Irrespective of whichever design approach is followed relative simplicity of design and discretion in the use of materials, texture and colour will greatly enhance the appearance of a new building. Th

NI-wide·PPS 21 Sustainable Development in the Countryside

Where appropriate, applications for buildings in the countryside should include details of proposals for site works, retention or reinstatement of boundaries, hedges and walls and details of new lands

NI-wide·PPS 21 Sustainable Development in the Countryside

Applicants are encouraged to submit a design concept statement setting out the processes involved in site selection and analysis, building design, and should consider the use of renewable energy and d

NI-wide·PPS 21 Sustainable Development in the Countryside

New accesses are often a visible feature of new buildings in the countryside and on occasion can be more obtrusive than the building itself, particularly if they include ornate walls, gates and fencin

NI-wide·PPS 21 Sustainable Development in the Countryside

Wherever possible access to a new building should be taken from an existing lane-way. Where a new access drive and services, such as electricity and telephone lines, are required, they should, as far

NI-wide·PPS 3 Access Movement and Parking

The integration of good accessibility in all aspects of design will benefit everyone in society through a better thought out, easier and more accessible environment and the matter should be considered

NI-wide·PPS 6 Planning Archaeology and the Built Heritage

Mitigation may require design alterations to development schemes, for example, the use of foundations which avoid disturbing the remains altogether or minimise the potential damage, or by the careful

NI-wide·PPS 7 Addendum Residential Extensions and Alterations

The key objectives of this Addendum are: • to promote high quality in the design of residential extensions and alterations; and • to ensure that such works are sympathetic to the original property; re

NI-wide·PPS 7 Addendum Residential Extensions and Alterations

Planning permission will be granted for a proposal to extend or alter a residential property where all of the following criteria are met: (a) the scale, massing, design and external materials of the p

NI-wide·PPS 7 Addendum Residential Extensions and Alterations

The Department wishes to encourage the highest standard of design for all development, including proposals for residential extensions and alterations. Good design will help promote sustainable develop

NI-wide·PPS 7 Addendum Safeguarding the Character of Established Residential Areas

(g) the design of the development draws upon the best local traditions of form, materials and detailing; (h) the design and layout will not create conflict with adjacent land uses and there is no unac

NI-wide·PPS 7 Addendum Safeguarding the Character of Established Residential Areas

In the determination of individual planning applications for residential development, the main statement of policy is set out in PPS 7. The main objective of the policy is to promote quality residenti

NI-wide·PPS 7 Quality Residential Environments

The overall design concept for a new residential environment should seek to provide contrast and interest balanced by unifying elements to provide coherence and identity. As well as greater variety in

NI-wide·PPS 7 Quality Residential Environments

Many villages and smaller settlements in Northern Ireland display an essentially rural character, and proposals for housing development in such locations should reflect this in their design, layout an

NI-wide·PPS 7 Quality Residential Environments

While the Department considers it important to ensure that all new development fits in well with its surroundings this will not preclude quality contemporary design using modern materials. Innovative

NI-wide·PPS 8 Open Space Sport and Outdoor Recreation

The impact of development associated with certain outdoor recreational uses can be reduced by careful attention to scale, siting, layout, design and landscaping details. Any proposed activity or devel

NI-wide·PPS 8 Open Space Sport and Outdoor Recreation

The need for and impact of access across land to inland bodies of water will be addressed when considering proposals for water sports. Ancillary space requirements for launching, mooring and car parki

Belfast·SPG001 Affordable Housing and Housing Mix

At an early stage, discuss proposals directly with a RHA who can provide advice on design and layout for the development of social housing, particularly the HAG's design standards. In relation to inte

Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design

Balconies, roof terraces, decking, dormer windows, windows in side elevations and conservatories all have the potential to cause overlooking problems, due to their position and orientation, particular

Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design

In some instances an acceptable solution may be achieved through the orientation of windows that are capable of both maintaining privacy and provide natural surveillance on to the street. In the case

Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design

Notwithstanding this, all proposals should seek to provide reasonable space between buildings in order to minimise overlooking. This will also assist in providing acceptable levels of daylight to prop

Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations

Residential dwellings, their environments and activities in and around the home are important contribution factors to the health and wellbeing of residents. When planning a project to extend a home, i

Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations

The Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) identifies core principles to assist with plan-making and decision taking. It recognises the need to support good design and positive place making; and t

Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations

It is important that an extension or alteration does not upset the balance of a property, particularly the front elevation. It is also good practice to reinforce the existing form and proportions of t

Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations

Notwithstanding this, it is accepted that on occasion a larger extension may be required, for example, to facilitate the renovation or upgrading of a small dwelling to meet modern amenity standards. A

Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations

It will not be appropriate to allow for an extension to project above the ridge line of the existing dwelling. This will be especially important where a uniform building height is part of the street s

Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations

The distance required will depend on the size of the existing house and the design of the extension, and taking into account of the character of the area. For some proposals a greater distance of set

Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations

In addition to the above principles, requirements for at least 1m separation from the plot boundary and appropriate set down and set back (see section entitled Subordinate design), the following princ

Belfast·SPG006 Tall Buildings

In addition to triggering the policy requirements of DES3, proposals for tall buildings will also be expected to meet DES1 policy requirements which contains general placemaking and urban design crite

Belfast·SPG006 Tall Buildings

Tall buildings do not need to make an unnecessarily loud statement, nor should every tall building be designed as an iconic, flagship or landmark building. Instead, their architectural language should

Belfast·SPG006 Tall Buildings

The Peter Froggatt Centre utilises a restricted material palette (red clay brickwork, glazed screens and bronze anodised panels) which respond to historic context. Deep brick reveals and extended curt

Belfast·SPG006 Tall Buildings

Design excellence will always be sought in all development applications, particularly those which include a tall building. However, it is important that attention is not focussed solely on the archite

Belfast·SPG011 Evening and Night time Economy

A high-quality design can improve the visual attractiveness and image of the area in the evening. Well-designed frontages and lighting can enhance the character of the streetscape, adding a sense of v

NI-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

NI-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