The Plan Strategy is one of two development plan documents which, when read together, will comprise the LDP for the Borough. The second document is the
Local Policies Plan and this will be brought forward by the Council once the Plan Strategy has been adopted.
What is the Local Development Plan?
The LDP is a spatial land use plan, which is primarily about place. It will guide future development and use of land in our towns, villages and rural areas by addressing the spatial implications of social, economic and environmental change. The LDP will balance competing demands and aim to ensure that good development occurs in the right place at the right time. It is a powerful tool for place-shaping and will assist in the delivery of the Community Plan
‘Love Living Here’
The draft Plan Strategy has been developed following extensive engagement with the public, stakeholders and our elected Members and has included the publication of our
Preferred Options Paper (POP).
We would like to thank everyone who responded to our POP. We have now published a POP Consultation Report which summarises the main issues raised following the public consultation and how we took responses into account when preparing the LDP.
Further information on the Local Development Plan Process, the Preferred Options Paper and Preferred Options Paper Consultation Report is available
here
This
information leaflet also contains information on this key stage of the plan and the overall Local Development Plan process.
Have your say
Pre-consultation Period
To allow everyone time to read and understand the draft Plan Strategy and all its associated documents, we have published all documentation in advance of the formal 8 week period of consultation. This period of pre-consultation will run from Friday 28 June to Thursday 25 July 2019.
Please note that no representations should be made during this period.
Formal consultation period
The formal consultation period will run for a period of 8 weeks beginning on Friday 26 July and closing at 5pm Friday 20 September 2019.
Please note that representations received after the closing date at 5pm on Friday 20 September 2019 will not be considered.
Published alongside the draft Plan Strategy are a range of assessments which are also open for representations during this formal public consultation period. These assessments include a Sustainability Appraisal incorporating the Strategic Environmental Assessment, a draft Habitats Regulation Assessment and a Section 75 Screening and Rural Needs Impact Assessment Report.
A range of evidence papers that have informed the preparation of the draft Plan Strategy are also available.
A copy of the public notices published in the Belfast Gazette and local newspapers are provided for information below.
EAPP Public Regulations Notice
Public Notice
Draft Plan Strategy and Associated Documents
The draft Plan Strategy and all supporting documentation are being made available for inspection at our Council Offices between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday (excepting Bank Holidays):
- Mossley Mill, Carnmoney Road North, Newtownabbey. BT36 5QA; and
- Antrim Civic Centre, 50 Stiles Way, Antrim. BT41 2UB.
Copies of the draft Plan Strategy will also be available to view at the following libraries:
- Antrim Library, 10 Railway Street, Antrim BT41 4AE
- Ballyclare Library, The Market House, School Street, Ballyclare BT39 9BE
- Cloughfern Library, 2A Kings Crescent, Newtownabbey BT37 0DH
- Crumlin Library, Orchard Road, Crumlin BT29 4SD
- Glengormley Library, 40 Carnmoney Road, Glengormley, Newtownabbey BT36 6HP
- Greystone Library, Greystone Road, Antrim BT41 1JW
- Randalstown Library, 34 New St, Randalstown, Antrim BT41 3AF
- Rathcoole Library, 2 Rosslea Way, Newtownabbey BT37 9BJ
Hard copies of the draft Plan Strategy are available on request.
Should you require a copy of this document in an alternative format, it can be made available on request in large print, audio format, DAISY or Braille. It may also be made available in minority languages to meet the needs of those whom English is not their first language.
Our contact details are set out at the bottom of this page.
Copies of the draft Plan Strategy and all supporting documentation are also available to view and download at the links below.
Draft Plan Strategy
Assessments:
Sustainability Appraisal (incorporating the Strategic Environmental Assessment) Report
Sustainability Appraisal Non-Technical Summary
Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report
Draft Habitats Regulations Assessment
Equality (Section 75) Screening and Rural Needs Impact Assessment Report
Evidence Papers
The Council has prepared its draft Plan Strategy in tandem with existing and emerging Transport Plans prepared by the Department for Infrastructure. Further information on Transport Plans is available on the Department for Infrastructure website.
How to Respond
Representations on our draft Plan Strategy and the accompanying assessments should be made in writing and we would encourage you to use the methods set out below.
Online
We would encourage you to submit an electronic response using the Council’s on-line consultation hub. Using this method will help assist the Forward Planning Team to assess your response and will help understand what aspect of the draft Plan Strategy you are responding on.
The online consultation hub can be accessed
here from Friday 26 July onwards and contains response forms for the draft Plan Strategy and associated assessment reports.
Alternatively you can download a copy of our response forms which can be accessed
here from Friday 26 July onwards. You can also request that a copy of our response form be posted or emailed to you. Completed response forms should be returned either by email or post as per the details outlined below.
Please note - the online consultation hub and all relevant forms will only be available between Friday 26 July and Friday 20 September 2019.
By Mail
You can email us at
planning@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk
or write to us at the following address: - Forward Planning Team, Mossley Mill, Carnmoney Road North, Newtownabbey BT36 5QA.
Please note that responses to the draft Plan Strategy consultation will only be accepted during the formal consultation period of Friday 26 July and Friday 20 September 2019 (closing at 5 pm).
Soundness
A key feature of Northern Ireland’s new Planning System for LDPs is ‘Soundness’ which requires the Plan documents be tested in terms of content, conformity and the process by which they are produced, at Independent Examination (IE).
The tests of soundness are based upon three categories which relate to how the draft Plan Strategy has been produced, the alignment of the document with central government regional plans, policy and guidance and the coherence, consistency and effectiveness of the content of the draft Plan Strategy. The tests of soundness are set out below:
Procedural tests
P1. Has the Plan been prepared in accordance with the Council’s timetable and the
Statement of Community Involvement?
P2. Has the council prepared its Preferred Options Paper and taken into account any
representations made?
P3. Has the Plan been subject to sustainability appraisal including Strategic Environmental
Assessment?
P4. Did the Council comply with the regulations on the form and content of its Plan and
procedure for preparing the Plan?
Consistency tests
C1. Did the Council take account of the Regional Development Strategy?
C2. Did the Council take account of its Community Plan?
C3. Did the Council take account of policy and guidance issued by the Department?
C4. Has the Plan had regard to other relevant plans, policies and strategies relating to the
Council’s district or to any adjoining Council’s district?
Coherence and effectiveness tests
CE1. The Plan sets out a coherent strategy from which its policies and allocations logically flow
and where cross boundary issues are relevant it is not in conflict with the plans of
neighbouring councils.
CE2. The strategy, policies and allocations are realistic and appropriate having considered the
relevant alternatives and are founded on a robust evidence base.
CE3. There are clear mechanisms for implementation and monitoring.
CE4. The Plan is reasonably flexible to enable it to deal with changing circumstances.
The presumption is that the draft Plan Strategy is sound unless it is shown to be otherwise as a result of evidence considered at the Independent Examination stage by the Planning Appeals Commission.
Consequently, those who wish to make representations seeking to change the draft Plan Strategy should clearly state why they consider the document to be unsound having regard to the tests above. It is very important that when you are submitting your representation that your response reflects the most appropriate soundness test(s) which you believe the draft Plan Strategy fails to meet. There will be no further opportunity to submit information once the consultation period has closed unless the Commissioner requests it
.
Where several people share a common view on how the draft Plan Strategy should be changed, we encourage you to co-operate with each other, pool resources and make a single representation. For example, a local community group.
Those who make a representations seeking to change the draft Plan Strategy should also state whether they wish to be heard orally. Unless people specifically request a hearing, the Commission will proceed on the basis that you are content to your representations considered in written form only.
The Commissioner will give every representation the same careful consideration regardless of whether the person who made it is heard orally or not. A representation may be withdrawn at any time by notifying the council in writing. Once withdrawn, a representation cannot be reinstated.
Points to remember when submitting your representation:
- Clearly state why you consider the draft Plan Strategy to be unsound, having regard to the tests;
- There will be no further opportunity to submit information unless the Commissioner requests it;
- Each suggested change should be the subject of a separate response form;
- Every representation should say precisely how the draft Plan Strategy should be changed in order to achieve soundness;
- Representations should be supported, succinctly, by all the evidence thought necessary to justify the proposed change;
- Where several people have a common view, submit a single representation;
- Clearly state whether you wish for your representation to be heard orally or not; and
- Representations withdrawn cannot be reinstated.
For further information on Soundness the Department of Infrastructure has published several Development Plan Practice Notes.
The first of importance is entitled ‘Soundness’ and the second entitled ‘Submission and Handling of Representations’, both are available at:
https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/development-plan-practice-notes
Furthermore, the Planning Appeals Commission have also produced guidance entitled ‘Procedures for Independent Examination of Local Development Plans’ available at:
https://www.pacni.gov.uk/procedural-guides
Come and Meet us
A number of public meetings and drop-in sessions have been organised, details of which are set out below. Drop-in sessions will be staffed by members of the Forward Planning Team who will be happy to answer any queries you may have in an informal setting regarding the Draft Plan Strategy.
Public meetings will consist of a short presentation outlining the Draft Plan Strategy flowed by questions and answers. If you would like to attend one of the public meetings, we would ask you to kindly register your attendance
here
There is no need to register for drop in sessions.
| Local Development Plan Public Engagement Events |
| Date |
Venue |
Room |
Time |
| PUBLIC MEETINGS - register here |
| 31 July 2019 |
Mossley Mill |
Yarn Suite |
Session 1 - 6pm-7.30pm
Session 2 - 7.30pm-9pm |
| 01 Aug 2019 |
Antrim Civic Centre |
Steeple Suite |
Session 1 - 6pm-7.30pm
Session 2 - 7.30pm-9pm |
| 03 Sept 2019 |
Mossley Mill |
Linen Suite |
Session 1 - 6pm-7.30pm
Session 2 - 7.30pm-9pm |
| 05 Sept 2019 |
Antrim Courthouse |
N/A |
Session 1 - 6pm-7.30pm
Session 2 - 7.30pm-9pm |
| DROP IN EVENTS - There is no need to register for drop in sessions |
| 06 Aug 2019 |
Randalstown Arches |
Main Hall |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
| |
Toome House |
N/A |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
| 07 Aug 2019 |
Crumlin Leisure Centre |
Conference Room |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
| 08 Aug 2019 |
Valley Leisure Centre |
Conference Room |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
| 16 Aug 2019 |
Ballyclare Town Hall |
Ollar Room |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
| 27 Aug 2019 |
Lillian Bland Pavilion |
Main Hall |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
| 02 Sept 2019 |
Mossley Mill |
Yarn Suite |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
| 03 Sept 2019 |
Antrim Civic Centre |
Steeple Suite |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
| 04 Sept 2019 |
Lillian Bland Pavilion |
Main Hall |
4.00pm - 7.30pm |
| |
Crumlin Leisure Centre |
Conference Room |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
| 05 Sept 2019 |
Ballyclare Town Hall |
Ollar Room |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
| |
Toome House |
N/A |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
| 06 Sept 2019 |
Randalstown Arches |
Main Hall |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
| |
Valley Leisure Centre |
Conference Room |
3.00pm - 7.30pm |
What Happens Next
Once the period of consultation has closed, the Council will collate the representations received and publish these online for a further 8 week period of consultation to allow counter-representations to be made. The representations will also be available for public inspection at our offices in Mossley Mill and Antrim Civic Centre, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm.
Once this period of counter-representations has closed, the Council will collate the counter-representations and make them available online for public view. They will also be available for public inspection in our offices at Mossley Mill and Antrim Civic Centre, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm.
The next step will be for the Council to contact the Department for Infrastructure to request an Independent Examination of the draft Plan Strategy before the Planning Appeals Commission.
General Data Protection Regulation
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by producing a specific Local Development Plan Privacy Notice, which lets you know how we manage any personal information we receive from you. It contains the standards you can expect when we ask for, or hold, your personal information and an explanation of our information management security policy.
A copy of our Local Development Plan Privacy Notice is available
here. All representations received will be published on our website and made available at Mossley Mill and Antrim Civic Centre for public inspection. All representations will be forwarded to the Department of Infrastructure in advance of Independent Examination.
Keeping Involved
The Council wishes to encourage the ongoing involvement of the local community in the LDP process. You can sign up to receive our Local Development Plan emails to keep up to date of the progress of the Plan and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive our Local Development Plan emails, please send your details, including name, address and email address to
planning@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk or download the Community Involvement form
here and forward it to the Forward Planning Team via post or email.
Contact Us
Should you have a query please contact us via the methods below:
By Post – Forward Planning Team
Mossley Mill
Carnmoney Road North
Newtownabbey
BT36 5QA
By Email – planning@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk
By Telephone – 0300 123 6677