Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)·Page 96·Policy DM 4, DM 4.2

Business Establishment Period for Agricultural and Forestry Development

Agricultural and forestry businesses must normally have been established and active for a minimum of 6 years, though a lesser period of at least 12 months may be acceptable in exceptional cases where the applicant is actively engaged in farming or forestry.

In assessing proposals, it will normally be expected that the business has been established and active for a minimum of 6 years. Exceptionally, a lesser period may be acceptable, but only where the applicant is actively engaged in farming or forestry, and it is demonstrated that the proposal is necessary to meet the needs of a farm or forestry business that has been in operation for at least 12 months.

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