Latest News
LDP Plan Strategy Independent Examination (IE) has concluded
8th November 2023
The Independent Examination (IE) hearing sessions for the Council’s LDP draft Plan Strategy took place over four weeks between 5th September and 4th October 2023, conducted by Commissioner O’Neill of the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC).
The details of the IE, including its Examination Library and Matters Arising, can be viewed on the PAC website here. In particular, the PAC Examination Closing Notes state that the Commissioner expects to deliver the IE Report to the DfI Regional Planning team by April 2024.
The Council’s overall Timetable for producing the LDP can be viewed on this LDP webpage here. It anticipates that the Council will receive the IE Report and LDP Plan Strategy Direction from DfI in the summer of 2024, followed by Adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy by the end of 2024 or early 2025. The Council’s Planning LDP team is currently doing the initial work tasks required for the Adoption and implementation of the LDP Plan Strategy, as well as the preparatory work on the LDP Local Policies Plan (LPP). The Local Policies Plan is required to be ‘consistent’ with the adopted LDP Plan Strategy.
LDP Independent Examination (IE) commences on 5th September 2023
4th September 2023
The Local Development Plan Team formally Submitted the Derry City & Strabane District Local Development Plan (LDP 2032) – draft Plan Strategy and supporting documents to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) on 26th May 2022 as part of the Independent Examination (IE) process. All LDP Submission documents can be viewed here. They are also available for inspection during normal office opening hours, by appointment only, at the Council's two main offices in Derry and Strabane.
Following the Submission of the LDP draft Plan Strategy in May, the Department considered it, to check it is procedurally ‘sound’, that there were no obvious gaps in the evidence base and it was not fundamentally flawed in relation to its regional context. The Council received a letter from DfI Planning on 20th September 2022, stating that the Submission had successfully passed its initial checks, so it would be writing to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) to ‘cause an Independent Examination’. The Council made the documents available to the PAC, who appointed a Programme Officer – who undertook their assessment of the documents. The PAC appointed Senior Commissioner Diane O’Neill to undertake the Independent Examination (IE) of our LDP dPS. This IE will be the next step towards adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy.
The Commissioner will begin the LDP Independent Examination’s public hearing sessions at 10.30am on 5th September 2023 for an initial two-week period (of approx. 5 weeks in total), with sessions being conducted remotely. These sessions will be available for the public to stream live on YouTube. A link to the stream is available on the Planning Appeals Commission’s website here Independent Examination of Local Development Plans - Derry City & Strabane District Council | Planning Appeals Commission (pacni.gov.uk).
The IE questions and programme, the PAC ‘Guidance Notes for Participants’ and a procedural document are available on the PAC website (DCS Examination Library) at DCS Examination Library | Planning Appeals Commission (pacni.gov.uk).
The Council and the PAC are both making arrangements for the IE, including the statutory requirements of the Regulations. In accordance with Regulation 22 of the Planning (LDP) Regulations (NI) 2015. Interested LDP stakeholders have been written to.
Revised LDP Timetable is issued
20th July 2023
The Council and DfI have recently approved a Revised LDP Timetable. The Revision reflects the dates for the forthcoming Independent Examination (IE) for the LDP draft Plan Strategy in September and October 2023, as well as the indicative dates for the other key stages in the LDP-preparation process. The Revised LDP Timetable can be viewed online, further down this webpage. It is also available for inspection during normal office opening hours, strictly by appointment only, at the Council’s two main offices in Derry and Strabane.
LDP Independent Examination (IE) to commence on 5th September 2023
26th June 2023
The Local Development Plan Team formally Submitted the Derry City & Strabane District Local Development Plan (LDP 2032) – draft Plan Strategy and supporting documents to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) on 26th May 2022 as part of the Independent Examination (IE) process. All LDP Submission documents can be viewed here. They are also available for inspection during normal office opening hours, by appointment only, at the Council's two main offices in Derry and Strabane.
Following the Submission of the LDP draft Plan Strategy in May, the Department considered it, to check it is procedurally ‘sound’, that there are no obvious gaps in the evidence base and it is not fundamentally flawed in relation to its regional context. The Council received a formal letter from DfI Planning on 20th September 2022, stating that the Submission had successfully passed its initial checks, so it would be writing to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) to ‘cause an Independent Examination’.
The Council has since made the Submission documents available to the PAC, who have appointed a Programme Officer – who has undertaken their initial assessment of the LDP dPS and other Submission documents. The PAC wrote to the Council on 23rd December 2022 to advise that it had completed its initial document assessment so it had appointed Senior Commissioner Diane O’Neill to undertake the Independent Examination (IE) of our LDP dPS. This IE will be the next step towards adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy.
At the end of April 2023, the PAC wrote to the Council, advising that the Commissioner will begin the LDP Independent Examination’s public hearing sessions at 10.30am on 5th September 2023 for an initial two-week period (of approx. 6 weeks in total), with sessions being conducted remotely. These sessions will be available for the public to stream live on YouTube. A link to the stream will be made available on the Planning Appeals Commission’s website shortly before the beginning of the sessions.
The PAC ‘Guidance Notes for Participants’ have been published and are available on the PAC website (DCS Examination Library). A specific procedural document will be published prior to the opening of the remote hearing sessions explaining how they will operate. Further details on the LDP IE will be found at https://www.pacni.gov.uk/derry-city-strabane
The Council and the PAC are both making arrangements for the IE, including the statutory requirements of the Regulations. In accordance with Regulation 22 of the Planning (LDP) Regulations (NI) 2015, the following public notice will shortly be advertised in the local press. Interested LDP stakeholders will also have been written to.
PAC Announce September Dates for Start of Derry-Strabane LDP Independent Examination (IE)
3rd May 2023
The Local Development Plan Team formally Submitted the Derry City & Strabane District Local Development Plan (LDP 2032) – draft Plan Strategy and supporting documents to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) on 26th May 2022 as part of the Independent Examination (IE) process. All LDP Submission documents can be viewed here. They are also available for inspection during normal office opening hours, by appointment only, at the Council's two main offices in Derry and Strabane.
Following the Submission of the LDP draft Plan Strategy in May, the Department considered it, to check it is procedurally ‘sound’, that there are no obvious gaps in the evidence base and it is not fundamentally flawed in relation to its regional context. The Council received a formal letter from DfI Planning on 20th September 2022, stating that the Submission had successfully passed its initial checks, so it would be writing to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) to ‘cause an Independent Examination’.
The Council has since made the Submission documents available to the PAC, who have appointed a Programme Officer – who has undertaken their initial assessment of the LDP dPS and other Submission documents. The PAC wrote to the Council on 23rd December 2022 to advise that it had completed its initial document assessment so it had appointed Senior Commissioner Diane O’Neill to undertake the Independent Examination (IE) of our LDP dPS. This IE will be the next step towards adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy.
At the end of April 2023, the PAC wrote to the Council, advising that the Commissioner will begin the LDP Independent Examination’s public hearing sessions at 10.30am on 5th September 2023 for an initial two-week period (of approx. 6 weeks in total), with sessions being conducted remotely. These sessions will be available for the public to stream live on YouTube. A link to the stream will be made available on the Planning Appeals Commission’s website shortly before the beginning of the sessions.
The PAC ‘Guidance Notes for Participants’ have been published and are available on the PAC website (DCS Examination Library). A specific procedural document will be published prior to the opening of the remote hearing sessions explaining how they will operate. Further details on the LDP IE will be found at https://www.pacni.gov.uk/derry-city-strabane
Planning Appeals Commission appoint Commissioner for Local Development Plan (LDP) Independent Examination (IE)
31st January 2023
The Local Development Plan Team formally Submitted the Derry City & Strabane District Local Development Plan (LDP 2032) – draft Plan Strategy and supporting documents to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) on 26th May 2022 as part of the Independent Examination (IE) process. All LDP Submission documents can be viewed here. They are also available for inspection during normal office opening hours, by appointment only, at the Council's two main offices in Derry and Strabane.
Following the Submission of the LDP draft Plan Strategy in May, the Department considered it, to check it is procedurally ‘sound’, that there are no obvious gaps in the evidence base and it is not fundamentally flawed in relation to its regional context. The Council received a formal letter from DfI Planning on 20th September 2022, stating that the Submission had successfully passed its initial checks, so it would be writing to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) to ‘cause an Independent Examination’.
The Council has since made the Submission documents available to the PAC, who have appointed a Programme Officer – who has undertaken their initial assessment of the LDP dPS and other Submission documents. The PAC wrote to the Council on 23rd December 2022 to advise that it had completed its initial document assessment so it had appointed Senior Commissioner Diane O’Neill to undertake the Independent Examination (IE) of our LDP dPS. This IE will be the next step towards adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy. The Council is currently waiting to hear from the PAC with any initial queries and to set an IE date, but at this stage we anticipate that the Independent Examination is likely to take place in late spring / early summer 2023. Further details on the LDP IE will be found at https://www.pacni.gov.uk/derry-city-strabane
DfI write to Planning Appeals Commission to cause Independent Examination into Local Development Plan (LDP)
3rd October 2022
Following the Submission of the LDP draft Plan Strategy in May. The Department considered it, to check it is procedurally ‘sound’, that there are no obvious gaps in the evidence base and it is not fundamentally flawed in relation to its regional context. The Council received a formal letter from DfI Planning on 20th September 2022, stating that it was also writing to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) to ‘cause an Independent Examination’. The council have already made the Submission documents available to the PAC. This is the next step towards adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy. The Council currently anticipate that the Independent Examination is likely to take place in late winter/ early spring.
Local Development Plan (LDP) being assessed by DFI
30th August 2022
Following the Submission of the LDP draft Plan Strategy in May to DfI Planning, the Department considered it, to check it is procedurally ‘sound’, that there are no obvious gaps in the evidence base and it is not fundamentally flawed in relation to its regional context. A letter was received from DfI Planning on 2nd August 2022 seeking clarification on procedural points and the submission of further evidence. It does not raise substantive or fundamental concerns. The Council’s Planning officers submitted a response on 19th August 2022. This has now been uploaded to the Council’s website and numbered DS-900. See Here. This is the next step towards an Independent Examination (IE) and adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy.
Local Development Plan (LDP) is submitted to DFI
26th May 2022
The Local Development Plan Team submitted the Derry City & Strabane District Local Development Plan (LDP 2032) - draft Plan Strategy and supporting documents to the Department for Infrastructure on 20th May 2022 as part of the Independent Examination process.
Please note: there is no opportunity to make further representations at this stage.
All LDP submission documents can be viewed in the LDP dPS Submission Documents May 2022. They are also available for inspection during normal office opening hours, by appointment only due to COVID 19 restrictions, at the Council's two main offices in Derry and Strabane.
If you do require to inspect them in hard copy, please write to us or submit an email to [email protected] or telephone the LDP Team during normal office hours on 028 7125 3253. Arrangements will be made for an appointment or for alternative arrangements to be made. Social distancing measures will apply to anyone visiting the offices. The documents are also available in alternative formats upon request.
The submission of the LDP dPS to DFI is the next step towards an Independent Examination (IE) and then the adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy. In accordance with Regulation 21 of the Planning (LDP) REgulations 2015. The following public notice will shortly be advertised in the local press. Interested LDP stakeholders will also be written to.
Comments on the Proposed Changes to the LDP are now Available to View
21st February 2022
The Local Development Plan Team has recently prepared and published a Schedule of Proposed Changes to the LDP draft Plan Strategy, accompanied by Addendums to the Sustainability Appraisal, the draft Habitats Regulation Assessment, the Equality Impact Assessment and the Rural Needs Impact Assessment. The documents were subject to a formal 8-week public consultation from 9th December 2021 to 3rd February 2022, to which 22 valid Comments were received. The Council is now finalising documents, moving towards formal Submission to DfI / PAC at the end of February / early March 2022.
Full details of the Schedule of Proposed Changes and the Comments received can be found here.
Revised Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) and LDP Timetable Published.
6th December 2021
Derry City and Strabane District Council has published a revised SCI for the Derry City and Strabane District Council Local Development Plan (LDP 2032) and Development Management functions. The SCI sets out the policy for involving and engaging the community in the production of the LDP, in the consideration of Planning applications and in Planning enforcement.
The Council has also published a revised Timetable for the preparation of the LDP and includes details of the key stages in the process.
The Revised Statement of Community Involvement and LDP Timetable are available to view online at the Derry City and Strabane District Council website at the following link: www.derrystrabane.com/sci and www.derrystrabane.com/ldp or at the Council’s offices, strictly by appointment only. Arrangements will be made for an appointment, or alternative arrangements made.
THE LDP TIMETABLE, REVISED DECEMBER 2021
The LDP Timetable has been formally revised, advertised and published in December 2021. The Timetable sets out Derry City and Strabane District Council's programme for the production of its Local Development Plan (LDP 2032) and includes details of the key stages in the process.
This Revised LDP Timetable was approved by the Council and DfI; it anticipates holding the Independent Examination (IE) of the LDP draft Plan Strategy at the end of 2022.
View the Local Development Plan (LDP) Timetable 2021
LDP draft Plan Strategy - Schedule of Proposed Changes
9th December 2021
Following detailed consideration of the Representations received to its LDP draft Plan Strategy published in December 2019, Derry City & Strabane District Council is now proposing a number of changes to the LDP draft Plan Strategy.
The Schedule of Proposed Changes is accompanied by Addendums to the Sustainability Appraisal, the draft Habitats Regulation Assessment, the Equality Impact Assessment and the Rural Needs Impact Assessment
The Proposed Schedule of Changes and the supporting Addendum Reports will be subject to a formal 8-week public consultation from 9th December 2021 to 3rd February 2022. Comments may be submitted on the Proposed Changes or any of the Appraisal documents.
Full details on the Proposed Schedule of Changes Consultation can be found here
30th July 2021 Revision of the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) and the LDP Timetable
The Representations and Counter Representations have now been nearly all considered by the Council’s Planning Officers and Members. It is intended to finalise this consideration immediately after the summer and subject to formal approval by the Council in September, a Revised LDP Timetable and a Revised Statement of Community (SCI) will be published thereafter. Any Proposed Changes to the LDP draft Plan Strategy (dPS) will then be advertised in accordance with the Development Plan Practice Note (DPPN 10), following which the LDP dPS, together with the Representations, Proposed Changes and accompanying Submission documents, would be formally Submitted to DfI and hence the PAC in December or January.
LDP Reps and Counter Reps are available for inspection
2nd February 2021
Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) draft Plan Strategy was published in December 2019, followed by a public consultation period which ended in January 2020. A further period of re-consultation was also held from September to November 2020. A total of approximately 250 Representations were received.
Those Representations were made available for public inspection from 27th November 2020 and Counter Representations could be submitted, up to 22nd January 2021. Seven Counter Representations were received, relating to 12 of the earlier Representations.
In accordance with the requirements of Regulations 17 and 19 of The Planning (Local Development Plan) Regulations (NI) 2015, all Representations and Counter Representations received in response to the consultations on the LDP draft Plan Strategy and associated Sustainability Appraisal are now available for inspection via the following link: Reps & Counter Reps to the LDP Draft Plan Strategy.
They will also be available for inspection during normal office opening hours, strictly by appointment only due to COVID 19 restrictions, from Tuesday 2nd February 2021, at the Council’s two main offices at 98 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7NN and 47 Derry Road, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, BT82 8DY. If you do require to inspect the Reps or Counter Reps in hard copy, please write to us or submit an email to the [email protected] or telephone the LDP Team during normal office hours on 028 71 253253. Arrangements will be made for an appointment.
The consultations for Representations and Counter Representations are now closed.
27th November 2020
The Local Development Plan draft Plan Strategy (LDP dPS) 8 week re-consultation period ran from 11th September to 6th November 2020. All representations received in response to the consultations on the LDP draft Plan Strategy and associated Sustainability Appraisal are now available for inspection via the following link: Representations to the LDP Draft Plan Strategy.
Counter Representations can now be submitted, up until Friday 22nd January 2021. See details at Viewing the LDP Draft Plan Strategy Representations and Making a Counter Representation
LDP DRAFT PLAN STRATEGY RE-CONSULTATION DEADLINE APPROACHES
The public re-consultation period for the Local Development Plan(LDP) for Derry City and Strabane District is coming to a close, with final responses due in by Friday 6th November 2020.
The Council's LDP draft Plan Strategy was already published in December 2019, followed by a consultation period which ended in January 2020. However, an issue over the timing of that period, means that this further consultation period is now being undertaken. This gives an additional opportunity for people to submit representations, though there have been no changes to the contents of the previously consulted draft Plan Strategy or any of its associated documents.
Anyone with an interest in Planning issues is urged to check out these LDP documents over these remaining weeks; they can either confirm that that they wish their previously submitted representation to be carried forward unchanged or alternatively, any additional or revised representations may also now be submitted during this re-consultation period. Please use the on-line Representation form at the following link to make your submission:
Final-LDP-Reps-2-Re-Consultation-form-2020_1
The draft Plan Strategy for the Local Development Plan marks the next stage in the process of developing an overarching policy document for all issues concerning local Planning and development.
The Plan is wide-ranging in its scope, guiding land use and setting out the Planning policies and proposals for the use, development and protection of our settlements and countryside. It has the capacity to help the Council achieve some of its key priorities including mitigating against climate change, conserving our rich built heritage and meeting social housing demand.
The LDP is closely aligned to the Strategic Growth Plan (Community Plan) and its aim to deliver 9,000 new, quality homes by 2032 at sustainable locations with all the necessary infrastructure, services and facilities. The new LDP will contribute directly to the outcomes of the Growth Plan and once adopted will be used to determine all Planning applications across Derry and Strabane. The (LDP) Plan Strategy sets out the proposed LDP vision, the LDP objectives, as well as the proposed Growth Strategy and the Hierarchy of Settlements for the District.
The public re-consultation on the draft Plan Strategy offers the opportunity for the public to consider the robustness of the Strategy proposals before it is submitted to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) for independent examination to test the soundness of the Strategy.
Following the results of the current consultation, the comments will be considered by the Council and then DfI will appoint an Independent Examiner to test the 'soundness' of the draft Plan Strategy.
Representations on the re-consultation documents can be submitted up until Friday 6th November, 2020. The full Plan Strategy documents are available at www.derrystrabane.com/ldp Alternatively, hard copies of the draft Plan Strategy and its associated Evidence Base and Assessments can be viewed, strictly by appointment only due to COVID 19 restrictions, during normal opening hours at the Council offices in Derry or Strabane.
RE-CONSULTATION ON DRAFT PLAN STRATEGY
11 September 2020
Derry City and Strabane District Council will be undertaking a period of re-consultation on the draft Plan Strategy (dPS) of the Local Development Plan 2032 (LDP). The re-consultation will run for a period of 8 weeks from 11th September to 6th November 2020.
The Council’s LDP draft Plan Strategy was already published in December 2019, followed by a consultation period which ended in January 2020. However, a procedural error has been identified so this further consultation period is now being undertaken. All those who previously submitted a representation will be written to separately. Any additional or revised representations may now be submitted during this re-consultation period. Further details can be found HERE
LDP CONSULTATION CANCELLED
20 March 2020
THE CONSULTATION PERIOD FOR REPRESENTATION TO THE LDP DRAFT PLAN STRATEGY CLOSED ON MONDAY 27th JANUARY 2020.
The representations received in response to the public consultation on the draft Plan Strategy and associated Sustainability Appraisal are now available for inspection on this website Viewing Representations and making a Counter Representation and will also be available to view, during normal opening hours, from 5th March to 30th April 2020 at the following Council Offices:
Derry – Council Offices, 98 Strand Rd, Derry, BT48 7NN;
Strabane – 47 Derry Rd, Strabane, BT82 8DY
Following the recent closure of the representation period, there is now the opportunity for the submission of counter representations. The consultation period for the submission of counter representations will run Thursday 5th March to Thursday 30th April 2020.
CONSULTATION ON LDP DRAFT PLAN STRATEGY REPRESENTATIONS OPENS TODAY
March 5, 2020
The next phase of the process to produce the Local Development Plan to inform all Planning decisions across Derry City and Strabane District launches this week.
A public consultation opens today, March 5, running until April 30th, inviting the submission of counter representations to responses received during the previous public consultation on the draft Plan Strategy.
The LDP draft Plan Strategy was published in December 2019 followed by a formal eight-week public consultation period. The representations received regarding the Strategy and associated Sustainability Appraisal can now be viewed on the Council website.
Head of Planning with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Maura Fox, explained more about the process. “The (LDP) Plan Strategy sets out the proposed Local Development Plan vision, its objectives, as well as the proposed Growth Strategy and the Hierarchy of Settlements for the District. The LDP is huge in its scope, addressing all issues of Planning, guiding land use and setting out the policies and proposals for the use, development and protection of our settlements and countryside.
“The counter-representation period is an opportunity for interested parties to consider potential changes proposed by representations to the draft Plan Strategy and allow comments to be made on those representations.
“A counter-representation may be made regarding an existing representation and all feedback is welcome. We are delighted at the level of public engagement to date, ensuring the final Plan reflects the expectations and expertise of a wide range of industry professionals and the wider public.”
Once the eight-week period for the submission of counter representations has closed on April 30, the Council will collate and analyse all representations and counter representations received during the respective consultation periods and will publish an LDP draft Plan Strategy Representations Report in due course.
When the Council is satisfied that the draft Plan Strategy is ready for Independent Examination, all relevant documents, including representations and counter representations and consideration of these will be forwarded to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) for its assessment of ‘soundness’.
Anyone considering submitting a counter-representation is advised to read DfI’s guidance on soundness in Development Plan Practice Note (DPPN) 06 (See https://www.planningni.gov.uk/index/advice/practice-notes/common-newpage-9. htm)
Also the PAC’s guidance entitled ‘Procedures for Independent Examination of Local Development Plans’ available on their website
www. pacni.gov.uk or https://www.pacni.gov.uk/sites/pacni/files/media-files/LDPexam%20-%20May%202017.pdf
The Representations are available to view at the Council’s main offices in Derry and in Strabane, as well as online at the Council’s website: www.DerryStrabane.com/LDP
Counter Representations can be made using the response form (available online or at the Council offices). Completed forms must be received by the 30th April 2020, to the Council’s Planning Department at 98 Strand Road, Derry or by e-mail to : [email protected]
LDP DRAFT PLAN STRATEGY - CONSULTATION DEADLINE APPROACHES
January 9, 2020
The public consultation period for one of the most significant strategic plans for the Derry City and Strabane District is coming to a close, with final responses due in by Monday January 27, 2020.
The draft Plan Strategy for the Local Development Plan was launched on December 2, marking the next stage in the process of developing an overarching policy document for all issues concerning local Planning and development.
The Plan is huge in its scope, guiding land use and setting out the policies and proposals for the use, development and protection of our settlements and countryside. It has the capacity to help Council achieve some of its key priorities including mitigating against Climate change, celebrating and conserving our rich built heritage, and meeting social housing demand.
The LDP is closely aligned to the Strategic Growth Plan (Community Plan) and its aim to deliver 9,000 new, quality homes by 2032 at sustainable locations with all the necessary infrastructure, services and facilities.
The new framework will contribute directly to the outcomes of the Growth Plan and once adopted will be used to determine all planning applications across Derry and Strabane. The (LDP) Plan Strategy sets out the proposed LDP vision, the LDP objectives, as well as the proposed Growth Strategy and the Hierarchy of Settlements for the District.
The public consultation on the draft Plan Strategy offers the opportunity for the public to consider the robustness of the Strategy proposals before it is submitted to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) for independent examination to test the soundness of the Strategy.
Speaking after the launch of the consultation, Head of Planning with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Maura Fox, said: “The overall aim of the LDP is to create better communities, maximise opportunities for housing and settlements, employment land, strong city / town centres and to conserve and enhance our environment. But we want to do this responsibly by establishing best practice in terms of how we deliver the infrastructure, housing, retail provision, and conservation projects needed to improve Derry and Strabane.”
“The Council considers this LDP Plan Strategy to be ‘sound’. I would invite anyone with an interest in Planning issues to view the draft Strategy documents and submit any objections, or indeed support, before the deadline date.
The LDP Draft Plan Strategy has been informed by the Council’s LDP Preferred Options Paper which offered a series of options for dealing with key issues in the Plan area and was previously the subject of widespread public and stakeholder consultation.
Following the results of the current consultation, the comments will be considered by the Council and then DfI will appoint an Independent Examiner to test the ‘soundness’ of the draft Plan Strategy.
Representations on the consultation document can be submitted up until Monday January 27, 2020. The full Plan Strategy document is available at www.derrystrabane.com/ldp Hard copies are also available at the Council offices in Derry or Strabane, as well as at libraries, leisure centres, etc. across the District.
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (LDP) DRAFT PLAN STRATEGY FOR DCSDC IS LAUNCHED BY MAYOR
2nd December 2019
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Michaela Boyle, today launched the draft Plan Strategy for one of the most significant policy documents to be produced by Council, the Local Development Plan (LDP).
The Plan is huge in its scope, addressing all issues of Planning, guiding land use and setting out the policies and proposals for the use, development and protection of our settlements and countryside. It has the capacity to help Council achieve some of its key priorities including mitigating against Climate change, celebrating and conserving our rich built heritage, and meeting social housing demand.
The LDP is closely aligned to the Strategic Growth Plan (Community Plan) and its aim to deliver 9,000 new, quality homes by 2032 at sustainable locations with all the necessary infrastructure, services and facilities. A public consultation on the draft Plan Strategy begins today, and local people are invited to give their views on how the future of Planning policy will develop.
The new framework will contribute directly to the outcomes of the Growth Plan and once adopted will be used to determine all planning applications across Derry and Strabane. The (LDP) Plan Strategy sets out the proposed LDP vision, the LDP objectives, as well as the proposed Growth Strategy and the Hierarchy of Settlements for the District.
Speaking at today’s launch, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Michaela Boyle, praised the work that had been completed to date on the plan.
“This is a very significant document in terms of its potential to transform our surroundings directly impacting on the wellbeing of all who live here. We want to create better communities, maximise opportunities for housing and settlements and conserve and enhance our environment. But we want to do this responsibly by establishing best practice in terms of how we deliver the infrastructure, housing, retail provision, and conservation projects needed to improve Derry and Strabane.
“I just want to acknowledge the intensive work of the Planning team which has gone into the Plan to date and encourage everyone to review the draft Plan Strategy and give their input at this important stage of the process.”
Speaking at the launch, Head of Planning with the Council, Maura Fox, said: “The Local Development Plan offers a real opportunity to shape the future of Planning and the policies that will enable Council’s Planning team to oversee responsible and positive development encouraging investment, co-ordinating infrastructure and protecting the local environment.
“It covers every aspect of Planning and its impact on social, economic and environmental wellbeing and we want to realise the LDP vision of balanced and appropriate high-quality development whilst protecting our environment. Much work has gone into the development of the LDP draft Plan Strategy and anyone who has concerns about it should submit their objections at this consultation stage.
The LDP Draft Plan Strategy sets out the Council’s strategic Planning objectives, designations and policies for the District in line with regional strategies and policies. The strategy has been informed by the Council’s LDP Preferred Options Paper which offered a series of options for dealing with key issues in the Plan area and was the subject of widespread public and stakeholder consultation.
It sets out the proposed LDP vision, then the LDP objectives, followed by the proposed overall Growth Strategy and the Hierarchy of Settlements for the District.
The Plan is accompanied by a number of legislatively required appraisal documents, namely the Sustainability Appraisal, the draft Habitats Regulations Assessment, Equality Impact Assessment and Rural Needs Impact Assessment. Following the results of the consultation, DfI will appoint an Independent Examiner to test the ‘soundness’ of the draft Plan Strategy.
Feedback on the consultation document can be submitted up until Monday January 27, 2020. The full Plan Strategy document is available at www.derrystrabane.com/ldp and a number of public meetings and workshops will take place throughout December and January.
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVISED TIMETABLE RELEASED
22nd July 2019
Derry City and Strabane District Council has formally revised the Timetable for the production of the Derry City and Strabane District Local Development Plan (LDP) 2032.
The new Timetable clearly sets out when the Council expects to reach key stages of the process, from the initial stages of the Preferred Options Paper (May 2017) through to the preparation and adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy and the subsequent LDP Local Policies Plan. The next key stage will be the publication of the LDP draft Plan Strategy (dPS) in Autumn 2019
The LDP, once complete, will replace both the Strabane Area Plan 2001 and the Derry Area Plan 2011.
The purpose of the LDP is to inform the general public, statutory authorities, developers and other interested parties of the policy framework and land use proposals that will guide development decisions within the District up to 2032. It will also provide certainty for those wishing to make investment decisions within the District.
The Council has also made the commitment to keep under review the Timetable for the preparation and adoption of the LDP
Welcoming the release of the revised Timetable, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council spoke of the importance of the Local Development Plan in shaping the future of Derry and Strabane.
She said: “The LDP is a key policy document that will inform the general public, statutory authorities, developers and other interested bodies of the policy framework and land use proposals that will guide development decisions within this District to 2032. I know many people have engaged with the LDP preparation process and I look forward to the publication of the draft Plan Strategy later in the year. I welcome the revised Timetable which will soon deliver the next key stage of the LDP which will strategically plan for the future sustainable development of this District in line with our ambitious proposals as set out in the Strategic Growth Plan – Our Community Plan”.
Copies of the report are available for viewing at the Council offices in Derry (Strand Rd) and Strabane (Derry Rd) during normal office hours. Copies can also be viewed at the Council’s Leisure Centres across the District. Documents are also available on the LDP section of the Council website www.derrystrabane.com/sci
RETAIL MARKET RESEARCH SURVEY
Derry City and Strabane District Council is conducting a telephone survey about retail and leisure habits.
NEMS Market Research has been commissioned to conduct the survey, which will begin on 9th March 2018. Households chosen to take part in the survey have been randomly selected. The aim of the survey is to help build an understanding of residents’ shopping and leisure behavior and the amount of money available for these.
Derry City and Strabane District Council would encourage all households who receive a call to take part as the information will be used to shape the Local Development Plan.
The surveys are aimed at those people who carry out the shopping in the household. Questions asked will relate to food and non-food shopping, internet shopping and leisure activities, and will take around six to seven minutes to complete. Calls may occur during the day, evening or at the weekend.
See more on the LDP at www.derrystrabane.com/ldp
DERRY CITY AND STRABANE DISTRICT COUNCIL PUBLISH PREFERRED OPTIONS PAPER (POP) INTERIM REPRESENTATIONS REPORT
Derry City and Strabane District Council published the Preferred Options Paper (POP) on 31st May 2017 and held a 12 week consultation period over summer 2017. The POP provided the basis for consulting with the public and stakeholders on a series of options for dealing with key issues in the Plan area. The POP consultation and engagement took many forms in an effort to reach and encourage all citizens to engage in this significant stage of the Local Development plan preparation. Methods of consultation included public engagement events, advertisements and web-based consultation.
This Interim POP Representation Report has been prepared to provide the public and all those who provided representations with a summary of the key issues raised in response to the Council’s LDP Preferred Options Paper. In line with our published Statement of Community Involvement, a final public Representations Report will be presented and published in due course (at the time of the Plan Strategy and then at the Local Policies Plan) to advise how the Council has taken the representations into account in the preparation of the Derry City and Strabane District Local Development Plan.