Next Steps – From LDP draft Plan Strategy Onwards
The LDP-preparation process to-date: The LDP Preferred Options Paper was published in 2017 as part of an extensive process of consultation and involvement of the public, other relevant stakeholder bodies, key consultees and elected Members of the Council. The evidence base documents and the LDP draft Plan Strategy (dPS) were then prepared and published in December 2019, followed by extensive consultations periods throughout 2020. The dPS document was made widely available, together with the associated documents. Public Meetings were held throughout the District during December 2019 and January 2020, with the consultation period closing on 27th January. In March and April 2020, a period of consultation for Counter-Representations was commenced, but this was cancelled due to the Coronavirus restrictions. The Council undertook a period of re-consultation on the LDP draft Plan Strategy (dPS), for a period of 8 weeks from 11th September to 6th November 2020.
Following the above consultation, the Council sorted the Representations, published them and held a further 8-week consultation for Counter-Representations from 27th November 2020 to 22nd January 2021. Following detailed consideration of the Representations received, a Schedule of Proposed Changes was subject to a formal 8-week public consultation from 9th December 2021 to 3rd February 2022. The draft Plan Strategy and supporting documents were then finalised and submitted to the Department for Infrastructure on 20th May 2022. DfI then assessed the dPS documents and then requested an Independent Examination to be held (IE) by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC). The IE was held in September and October 2023 and the PAC issued the IE Report to DfI Regional Planning in May 2024.
DfI then considered the IE Report and issued a detailed Direction to the Council on 17th December 2024. The PAC, and then DfI found the draft Plan Strategy to be ‘sound’, and Directed the Council to Adopt the LDP Plan Strategy, with specified Modifications, under section 12(1)(b) of the Planning Act (NI) 2011. The Council then made the specified changes and undertook statutorily-required assessments (SA, HRA, EQIA & RNIA) including public consultation periods. Then the Derry City and Strabane District Council formally adopted the Local Development Plan 2032: Plan Strategy on 10th July 2025, in accordance with Section 12(3) of the Planning Act (NI) 2011 and Regulation 24 of the Planning (Local Development Plan) Regulations (NI) 2015. The LDP Plan Strategy is then set for immediate implementation as the prime consideration for the Council (and other decision-makers) in decision-making on Planning applications in the District, in accordance with the relevant legislation, regional policy and case law.
Next steps in LDP preparation: The Council will proceed to prepare the LDP Local Policies Plan (LPP) that is required to be ‘consistent’ with the LDP Plan Strategy (PS). The LPP will primarily provide the maps (together with any site-specific / local requirements) of the various settlement limits, land use zonings and designations for the District. The LPP will be produced in accordance with the statutory requirements and DfI guidance, going through a similar process to that of the PS, in accordance with the published LDP Timetable, which can be viewed here (subject to review). Hence, the Council’s LDP will be completed, for implementation / delivery (with subsequent Monitoring and Review) to help the Council to make Derry City and Strabane District a thriving, prosperous and sustainable area – Planning for balanced and appropriate high-quality development, whilst protecting our environment, and also promoting well-being with equality of opportunity for all.