37. Planning Statement Planning Policy Belfast LDP Plan Strategy – various policies
What is it?
A Planning Statement is a written document that explains the rationale for the proposal and provides an assessment in the context of the relevant local and regional planning policies.
When is it required?
A Planning Statement should be provided with applications for:
- Major development;
- proposals that would result in the loss of existing open space, having regard to Policy OS1 of the Plan Strategy;
- proposals that would result in the loss of employment land; having regard to Policy EC4 of the Plan Strategy;
- proposals that would result in the loss of community infrastructure, having regard to Policy CI1 of the Plan Strategy;
- proposals that require the exceptions test to be applied as described in the Planning and Flood Risk Supplementary Planning Guidance, having regard to Policy ENV4 of the Plan Strategy; and
- proposals that would result in the demolition or part demolition of either:
- a Listed Building (Policy BH1); or
- an un-listed building within a Conservation Area that makes a material contribution to the character or appearance of that Conservation Area (Policy BH2); or
- an un-listed building within an Area of Townscape Character (including draft) that makes a material contribution to the character or appearance of that Area of Townscape Character (Policy BH3).
What should be included?
The Planning Statement should set out how a development proposal takes account of relevant planning policies and other material considerations. It should include:
- a description of the site and its surrounding context;
- a description of the proposal and why it is needed;
- relevant planning history;
- summary of the relevant regional and local planning policies, including the Local Development Plan, and how those planning policies have been applied;
- other relevant material considerations;
- assessment of how the proposal addresses the key planning issues;
- explanation if the proposal is contrary to any of the relevant planning policies (e.g. loss of open space);
- suggested draft planning conditions in the event that planning permission is granted.
