Introduction and Purpose

The new Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Local Development Plan – Plan Strategy, was formally adopted by resolution of the Council on 3 July 2025. The Plan Strategy forms a high level, strategic document which sets out how the Council considers our Borough will grow and develop over the plan period, 2015 to 2030. It sets out a Plan Vision and a range of Strategic Objectives to help guide development in a sustainable fashion. It also identifies Strategic Policies (SP), supplemented by Detailed Management (DM) policies, which together will deliver the Strategic Objectives and guide decisions in the development management process. The Plan Strategy identifies a number of instances where the Council will publish Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG). The purpose of SPG is to support the practical application of the Strategic Policies and Detailed Management policies in the Plan Strategy, by providing greater detail for those interested parties, on how the policy will be applied in practice. SPG does not introduce any new policies over and above the Plan Strategy, but instead is considered to be a material planning consideration in the determination of planning applications. Guidance contained within the SPG should be read in conjunction with the relevant planning policy framework, including the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) for Northern Ireland and the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Local Development Plan 2030, which is comprised of the Plan Strategy and Local Policies Plan. This SPG specifically relates to the application of the Affordable Homes policies contained within SP 4, DM 17 and DM 18G of the Plan Strategy. The SPG can also be applied to proposals within any zonings and/or key site requirements for affordable housing, within the Local Policies Plan. Through these policies, the Council aims to facilitate an increase in the delivery of affordable housing, as part of mixed tenure developments within the Borough. This SPG has been drafted to offer a clear explanation of the process involved to a wide audience of interested parties, including applicants and developers, statutory partners, Elected Members and planning officers. It is intended to support clear, transparent, consistent and efficient decision making within the development management process. Appendix 1 of this document sets out a 'Process Guide and Flow Chart' relating to the application of the policy, whilst Appendix 2 comprises an 'Affordable Housing Proposal Form and Checklist' that should accompany a planning application where the affordable housing policy is relevant. Appendix 3 comprises an example Section 76 template for affordable housing, whilst Appendix 4 identifies contact details relating to Registered Housing Associations, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Council.