Masterplanning approach for major development

Planning permission will be granted for major development where it accords with the following masterplanning principles: a. Adopt a holistic approach to site assembly, layout and design that is mindful of adjacent sites, where suitable for redevelopment, while avoiding prejudice to future development potential and/or quality where development is of a significant scale and prominence; b. Promote opportunities for urban repair and greater connectivity to neighbouring areas by minimising or mitigating physical barriers that create undue effort or separation, informed by feedback from existing communities; c. Maximise solutions to deliver energy efficiencies that seek to achieve BREEAM 'excellent' or comparable standard; d. Promote higher density residential and mixed use development along city corridors and at gateway locations; e. Contribute positively to the improvement of the public realm within, and in the proximity of, the development site through the use of high quality hard and soft landscape materials and street furniture; f. Include an appropriate landscape management and maintenance plan, early in the planning process, as an integral part of all landscape proposals; g. Enhance the waterside character and setting of the River Lagan, including the improvement of existing and provision of new access points and new cross river connections where appropriate; h. References unique parts of the city through the realisation of key landmarks within prominent or gateway locations; i. Seek to include where appropriate the provision of public art; and j. Seek the retention of existing trees within and around the site and make adequate provision to allow them to mature while ensuring the continuance of tree cover through new tree planting.