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Planning Policies on Tourism and Economic Development

Two new planning policy initiatives have been released by the Department of Environment.

PPS 4 - Planning and Economic Development - has been finalised and is now policy. It sets out planning criteria which must be met by proposals for economic development projects. These include requirements that a proposal for economic development must: be compatible with the surrounding land use; not create a noise nuisance; and have adequate access, parking and manoeuvring arrangements in place.

Draft PPS 16 - Tourism - is now out for consultation. The draft covers issues such as: protecting existing tourism assets from inappropriate development; developing tourism amenities in towns and the countryside; and criteria for developing new hotels and caravan parks. Consultation on Draft PPS 16 runs until 25 March 2011 - if you would like help on how to respond to the consultation please contact Elaine or Louise on 9023 9444.

30 November 2010

Workshops for Community Groups - Planning and Housing in the Countryside

The final version of the controversial planning policy for single houses in the countryside has now been published. To help community groups understand the policy and how it will affect people in rural areas we are organising a series of workshops in collaboration with Rural Support Networks. The new policy is called Planning Policy Statement 21 (PPS 21 - Sustainable Development in the Countryside) and will be used to assess planning applications for housing including houses on farms, conversions, replacements and social and affordable housing and also proposals for farm diversification and community facilities. 

Strabane and District Community Network and Community Places have organised a workshop for groups who are interested in learning more about PPS 21. It will be held on Tuesday, 16 November 2010 from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm in the Diamond Centre, Claudy. If you would like to attend the workshop please telephone Strabane and District Community Network on 8166 2588 or Community Places on 9023 9444 or email info@communityplaces.info

10 November 2010

Friends of the Earth Event - An Evening with Michael Meacher

Friends of the Earth has organised an Evening with Michael Meacher which will be held on Thursday, 14 October 2010 from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm in The Black Box, Hill Street, Belfast. Michael Meacher has been a Labour MP for 40 years and is a former UK Minister for the Environment. In his address, Michael will reflect on his 40 years in parliament, and offer an insight into how Northern Ireland can move towards greater sustainability, fairness and the urgent need to develop a low-carbon economy. His address will be followed by questions from the floor. For further information please contact Friends of the Earth - telephone 9023 3488 or email niall.bakewell@foe.co.uk

5 October 2010

Planning and Housing in the Countryside - Workshops for Community Groups

The final version of the controversial planning policy for single houses in the countryside has now been published. To help community groups understand the policy and how it will affect people in rural areas we are organising a series of workshops in collaboration with Rural Community Support Networks. The new policy is called Planning Policy Statement 21 (PPS 21 - Sustainable Development in the Countryside) and will be used to assess planning applications for housing including houses on farms, conversions, replacements and social and affordable housing and also proposals for farm diversification and community facilities.

The next workshop will be held on Wednesday, 6 October 2010, at Peter Morgan’s Cottage, Finnis, Dromara from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm - If you would like to attend the workshop please telephone TADA on 3839 8888 or email info@tadaruralsupportnetwork.org or telephone Community Places on 9023 9444 or info@communityplaces.info

 Additional dates will be published here as they are confirmed.

1 October 2010

PPS 7 Addendum Finalised

The final version of the Addendum to Planning Policy Statement 7 - Safeguarding the Character of Established Residential Areas - was published on 10 August 2010. This follows consultation on the draft version of the document which concluded in March 2010. The finalised policy is of interest to groups and individuals who want to secure better new development in residential areas.

The addendum contains policies that:

  • set minimum sizes for new build houses, flats and apartments;
  • set additional criteria for the conversion of existing buildings to flats or apartments;
  • require the density of new residential development to be not significantly higher than that found in the established residential area; and
  • encourage the use of permeable paving in new developments.

The full version of the finalised addendum can be downloaded from Planning Service's website.

23 August 2010

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