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Development plan and policy

Supplementary planning guidance

This section contains a range of Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG). Some of this SPG provides further information on the implementation of adopted planning policies, such as those contained in development plans.

Our SPG also includes further guidance on other important matters relating to planning, such as statutory designations and sustainable development.

Guidance

LDP Plan Strategy (May 2023) SPG

Local Development Plan (LDP) Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) provides additional advice and guidance specific to policies contained in the Belfast LDP Plan Strategy.

This SPG represents non-statutory planning guidance that supports, clarifies and/or illustrates by example, policies included within the Belfast LDP. The information set out in the following SPG should also be read in conjunction with the LDP Plan Strategy (May 2023).

Student accommodation

In June 2016, we introduced supplementary planning guidance on Purpose Built Managed Student Accommodation (PBMSA) in Belfast.  It gives extra advice and guidance to developers, the public and planning officers when working on planning applications for PBMSA developments in the city.

Conservation areas - Article 4 Directions 

Find out about public consultations relating to conservation areas including permitted development rights through an Article 4 Direction.

Tree Preservation Orders

Information on Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), a statutory protection afforded to trees under the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Developer Contributions and Planning Agreements

The Draft Developer Contributions Framework is our guide on the framework's use and approach to developer contributions and planning agreements. 

Green and Blue Infrastructure Plan

The Green and Blue Infrastructure Plan for Belfast provides a high level framework that recognises that our vegetated areas (the green) and our waterways (the blue) provide a broad range of economic, social and environmental benefits for the city and its environs.

Regional supplementary planning guidance (opens in a new window)

The Department for Infrastructure also provides a range of regional Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) to support, clarify and illustrate regional planning policy statements and plans.

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