Northern Ireland environment minister Edwin Poots has launched a consultation for a new draft planning policy statement to safeguard the character of established residential areas.
The draft policies, set out as an Addendum to Planning Policy Statement 7 (PPS 7), aim to help towards the better management of proposals for the redevelopment of existing buildings, proposals for the infilling of vacant sites (including extended garden areas), and proposals for the conversion or sub-division of existing buildings to flats or apartments (including those for multiple occupancy).
Speaking today Poots said: “These additional operational planning policies are designed to ensure that the character of established residential areas is not unduly impacted upon by future residential development proposals. These draft policies retain sufficient flexibility to allow for higher density housing schemes through imaginative and innovative design, which can deliver significant benefits, while continuing to ensure that new residential schemes are sensitive in design terms to people living in existing neighbourhoods, and are in harmony with the local character of established residential areas. In order to help reduce flash flooding in urban areas I am also issuing a draft planning policy to encourage greater use of permeable paving within new residential developments.”
The consultation period for the new draft addendum starts now and runs until 5 March 2010.
Consultation on PPS 7 Addendum (Draft): Safeguarding the Character of Established Residential Areas: Link
