AQW 24096/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 10/03/2025
Answered On Date: 18/03/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether she will review existing planning policy to assess the impact on the balance between apartment developments and the preservation of family housing in coastal towns.

Answer:

The Department’s Regional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035 and the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) support the creation of balanced communities and, in relation to all types of housing, the policy approach is to facilitate an adequate and available supply of quality housing to meet the needs of everyone. Council local development plans (LDPs) are the main vehicle for delivering this by assessing future housing land requirements and managing housing growth in their areas to achieve sustainable patterns of residential development. This process allows councils to address local housing issues within their communities, such as the balance between family housing; apartments; holiday homes; and short-stay rental properties. Where appropriate, LDPs can include specific policies to protect the distinctive nature and character of settlements. Councils are also responsible for operating effective development management in respect of planning applications for housing and in doing so, the provisions of regional strategic planning policy must be taken into account. I have no plans to revise the Department’s planning policy approach on housing at this time.