Council launches Call for Sites to shape Local Development Plan 2032
29 April 2026
Derry City and Strabane District Council has launched a Call for Sites as part of the next stage in preparing its Local Development Plan (LDP) 2032, members of the public, business operators, landowners and developers to put forward land for consideration.
The Call for Sites opens on 27 April 2026 and will run for approximately 14 weeks, closing on 31 July 2026. It forms a key part of the evidence-gathering process for the Local Policies Plan (LPP) – the second and final stage of the Local Development Plan.
Through this process, the Council is seeking submissions to identify land within each of the District’s 45 settlements, or potentially adjoining them, that can be developed over the next five to 10 years, for housing, economic development, or as Development Opportunity Sites within city and town centres. Submitted sites will be assessed for factors such as sustainability, suitability, deliverability and alignment with the adopted LDP Plan Strategy.
The Call for Sites does not allocate land or grant planning permission. Instead, it will help inform which locations may be considered further and potentially included as zonings within the draft Local Policies Plan, which will be subject to future public consultation and independent examination.
Site promoters are encouraged to ensure proposals are for reasonably-centrally located, sustainable sites with good access to services and facilities, and to demonstrate that development could realistically come forward within the next five to ten years. It is also essential that submissions are consistent with the adopted LDP Plan Strategy, as required under planning legislation.
Welcoming the consultation, Chairperson of the Planning Committee Cllr John Boyle said: “This Call for Sites is an important opportunity for landowners, developers and the wider community to help shape how our city, towns and rural settlements develop over the coming years. We would strongly encourage anyone with an interest in land that may be suitable for future housing or economic development to take part and make a submission.
“All sites put forward will be assessed carefully as part of the evidence base for the LDP Local Policies Plan, helping Council to make informed, balanced decisions that support sustainable growth across the City and District,” he added.
The LPP Call for Sites, together with the associated documents, can be accessed at https://www.derrystrabane.com/subsites/ldp
The response form can be downloaded and completed manually or electronically, or submissions can be made online. A guidance note and explanatory overview are also available.
The documents and forms are also available to collect, by appointment, during normal opening hours, at:
• Council Offices, 98 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7NN
• Council Offices, 47 Derry Road, Strabane, BT82 8DY
This LPP is being undertaken in accordance with the Planning (LDP) Regulations (NI) 2015 and the Council’s published LDP Timetable and Statement of Community Involvement (Planning, SCI) (both documents are under review, available on the Council website).
The LDP 2032 Plan Strategy (PS) and associated documents can be supplied in alternative formats; any such requests or queries should be directed to the Local Development Plan Team at: [email protected] or in writing to Local Development Plan Team, Council Offices, 98 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7NN.