NI Planning System
The Planning System and Development Management
The planning system ensures built development is in the right place when new houses, shops, parks, community centres or factories are planned. Eleven local councils and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) are responsible for different types of planning applications.
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Planning Policy Statements
Retained Planning Policy
The existing suite of Planning Policy Statements and the remaining provisions of ‘A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland’ are currently retained under the transitional arrangements of the SPPS.
Details
These retained policies will be cancelled when all eleven councils have adopted a new Plan Strategy for the whole of their council area.
Further information on 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) can be accessed under Planning Guidance.
Departmental Development Plans
Departmental development plans are plans prepared by the former Department of the Environment (DOE).
As a transitional measure, these plans will remain operational until the councils adopt new Local Development Plans.