01/12/2004
Tighter demolition planning controls introduced
Environment Minister Angela Smith has announced the introduction of major changes to planning controls regarding demolition of buildings in Northern Ireland.
The Minister said: “From today, planning permission is required for the demolition of any building within an Area of Townscape Character or an Area of Village Character.
“This is a major change for our planning system and underlines the great importance I attach to the protection of built heritage in Northern Ireland. There is also a consequent need to reinforce local identity in these areas. I want to ensure that sensitive planning controls will operate so that new building proposals respect the appearance and qualities of each area and do not detract from their distinctive character."
Accompanying these new controls on demolition in distinctive townscape areas, the Department of the Environment (DoE) has issued new draft planning policy for public comment.
The Minister said that the views of people living in such areas were particularly welcome as these would help inform the production of the final policy.
Article 18 of the Planning (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 brings demolition within the meaning of development for planning purposes.
While this Article became operational on December 1 this year for the moment only buildings in Areas of Townscape or Village Character will be subject to this new regime.
This is achieved by specifying in a departmental direction, under Article 11(2)(f) of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, those buildings whose demolition does not come within the meaning of development for planning purposes and those buildings that do.
Those buildings whose demolition is already controlled such as historic monuments, listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas will continue to be subject to their specific control regimes.
The new policy to accompany this legislative change is contained in a Consultation Draft Addendum to Planning Policy Statement 6 ‘Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage’ entitled ‘Areas of Townscape Character’. This sets out the Planning Service policies for new development, the control of advertisements and demolition within Areas of Townscape and Village Character.
It aims to ensure that development proposals respect the appearance and qualities of each townscape area and maintain or enhance their distinctive character.
The DoE will be undertaking consultation on the Draft Addendum to PPS 6 for a period of four months ending on March 31, 2005.
(SP)
The Minister said: “From today, planning permission is required for the demolition of any building within an Area of Townscape Character or an Area of Village Character.
“This is a major change for our planning system and underlines the great importance I attach to the protection of built heritage in Northern Ireland. There is also a consequent need to reinforce local identity in these areas. I want to ensure that sensitive planning controls will operate so that new building proposals respect the appearance and qualities of each area and do not detract from their distinctive character."
Accompanying these new controls on demolition in distinctive townscape areas, the Department of the Environment (DoE) has issued new draft planning policy for public comment.
The Minister said that the views of people living in such areas were particularly welcome as these would help inform the production of the final policy.
Article 18 of the Planning (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 brings demolition within the meaning of development for planning purposes.
While this Article became operational on December 1 this year for the moment only buildings in Areas of Townscape or Village Character will be subject to this new regime.
This is achieved by specifying in a departmental direction, under Article 11(2)(f) of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, those buildings whose demolition does not come within the meaning of development for planning purposes and those buildings that do.
Those buildings whose demolition is already controlled such as historic monuments, listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas will continue to be subject to their specific control regimes.
The new policy to accompany this legislative change is contained in a Consultation Draft Addendum to Planning Policy Statement 6 ‘Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage’ entitled ‘Areas of Townscape Character’. This sets out the Planning Service policies for new development, the control of advertisements and demolition within Areas of Townscape and Village Character.
It aims to ensure that development proposals respect the appearance and qualities of each townscape area and maintain or enhance their distinctive character.
The DoE will be undertaking consultation on the Draft Addendum to PPS 6 for a period of four months ending on March 31, 2005.
(SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.